1954 Jaguar XK140

PRICE: $108,000USD

The Jaguar XK120 created a sensation at the 1948 London Motor Show. It was low and lithe, with a curvaceous envelope body, and it had a newly designed dual overhead-cam six-cylinder of 3,442 cubic centimeters. The model took its name from a May 1949 speed run by a production roadster on Belgium’s Jabbeke Highway, where it was clocked at over 120 mph. There was nothing else like it on the market.

Enter the 1954 Jaguar XK140 OTS Roadster

Late in 1954, the chassis was redesigned, with larger torsion bars, better brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering. The engine was given higher-lift camshafts, which had the effect of raising horsepower to 190. There were also subtle appearance changes: the grille was given fewer bars that were more widely spaced, full-width bumpers were added, and flashing directional signals were located in the front fenders, just above the bumper.

Moving the engine forward about three inches allowed for a roomier cockpit, but this required relocating the battery compartment into the front fender. The car was re-designated XK140, and two Special Equipment variants were added, the XK140 M, which included a crankshaft dampener, wire wheels, a dual exhaust, twin fog lamps, and windshield washers, and the XK140 MC, which added the big-valve cylinder head from the C-Type Jaguar, raising horsepower to 210. The three body styles continued in production through mid-1957, with each available in any of the three variants.

This striking car, one of the earlier XK140s, has been beautifully maintained and is in superb condition. Carmen Red over Biscuit leather interior. Driven almost daily, weather permitting, it purrs to life at the touch of the starter button. The engine was changed for a more powerful Jaguar 3.8ltr motor some years, so we cannot say the car is a matching number example. You really do have to drive this stunning car, to appreciate the smooth power and handling.