MOTOR CARS | 253A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased
performance while Laycock-de Normanville overdrive became an
option for the first time. Special Equipment (SE) XK140s came with
wire wheels and Lucas fog lamps, and could be ordered with an
engine developing 210bhp courtesy of the ‘C’-type cylinder head.
XK140 performance was well up to the standards set by its exemplary
predecessor, contemporary magazine road-tests regularly recording
top speed figures in excess of 120mph. Tested by Road & Track
magazine, a USA-specification XK140MC (as the ‘C’-type head-
equipped SE version was known there) recorded a 0-60mph time of
8.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 121.1mph.
One of 73 XK140 roadsters made in right-hand drive configuration,
this ‘SE’ is one of only 12 fitted with the C-type cylinder head and also
has twin 2” SU sand-cast carburettors and overdrive transmission,
thus representing the model in its ultimate and most desirable form. It
is only the fourth right-hand drive XK140 built, the chassis numbering
sequence having commenced at ‘800001’. The XK was delivered
finished in Old English White with red leather interior and black hood,
and came equipped with side screens.
Around 1957 the car received the following D-Type upgrades: all-round
disc bakes, 9:1 compression ratio pistons, bronze main bearings,
close-ratio (non-overdrive) gearbox, high-ratio rear axle, ‘Le Mans’
headlights and 60-spoke wire wheels.
Carried out by Massey & Bridges of Fakenham, Norfolk, a branch
of Mann Egerton & Co Ltd, these works were performed with the
technical assistance of Brown’s Lane, with parts being supplied by the
factory’s Competitions Department. The number of the reconditioned
and upgraded engine was changed from ‘G1534-8S’ to ‘G1534-9’ to
reflect the alteration in compression ratio.The accompanying old-style logbook records two keepers: Major John
Greenish of London SW1 (January 1957 to December 1957) and Flight
Sergeant Thomas Jacks of Windsor House, Norfolk from December
1957 to (it is believed) circa 1979. ‘TJH 791’ was then sold at auction
and was driven by its new owner, Mr Rupert Arkell, until October 1982
when it was dismantled for a rebuild. From February 1987 the Jaguar
was owned by Mr Brian Arculus of Foxfields, West Sussex, followed by
the current vendor, who has owned it since August 1993. It is obvious
that the car has been restored but there are no records of when this
was carried out or by whom.Kept in storage since acquisition, the XK is offered fresh from re-
commissioning which included the installation of a custom-made
Radtec aluminium radiator together with all new coolant and heater
hoses, a full service and successful MoT test. Currently taxed, the car
comes with an extensive history file containing the aforementioned
old-style logbook; V5 registration document; a quantity of expired
MoT certificates; period correspondence from the Jaguar factory; and
numerous related articles and magazines of interest.
£90,000 - 120,000
€115,000 - 150,000