2015-06-22 09:51:25 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 8/15
www.schultzauctioneers.net/Auction025.htm

Auction description:
ON-SITE CLASSIC CAR COLLECTION AUCTION
The Alexander Drapanas Estate Collection
August 22, 2015 Time: 11am
ON SITE IN BUFFALO, NY
72-80 COLLEGE STREET
New paint, stored 20 years inside, needs interior. No data plate, incorrect engine but block and head match.

2025-05-18 15:31:44 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 6/25

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1955-jaguar-xk140-fixed-head-coupe-n7jl2g

Auction description:

1955 Jaguar XK140

Colourlue

Odometer 638 Miles

Engine size 3800cc

Seller Type Private

Haughley, Suffolk, United Kingdom

One of only 843 RHD UK examples ever produced

Comprehensive nut and bolt, body-off restoration completed

Original 3.4-litre engine replaced with a fully rebuilt 3.8 unit

Only 650 miles covered since restoration completion in 2020

Registered in the UK

First registered in 1955

The Jaguar Heritage Certificate indicates the original factory finish was 'Pastel Blue'

One of only 843 ever produced

Previously based in Arizona

The car was part of a large collection of British sports cars in New York

Returned to the UK in 2016

Full restoration undertaken 

Since completion in 2020, the car has only covered 650 dry miles

The vendor elaborates:

"The car is an original RHD UK car that found its way to the USA and lived in Arizona before being bought by a dentist in New York State and added to his large collection of British sports cars. After he died, the collection was split up and I repatriated it back to the UK for restoration.

I had hoped that its time in a dry state would have saved the body. However, when the body was taken off, the extent of corrosion around the rear end, in particular, was bad, as was the poor attempt at respraying the body in non-original red. A local body shop carried out the work using new panels from James Lawrence (new rear wings and complete rear end, repair panels for the front wings, etc.).

I'm a retired engineer and carried out the rebuild of the chassis, suspension, brakes and engine ready for the refurbished body, which is now finished in its original Powder Blue. The interior has been completely refurbished or replaced with blue carpet and cream leather upholstery."

The paperwork file includes:

V5c document

Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate

Sales invoice from Beverly Hills Car Club

Plenty of invoices covering new parts and restoration

Photos of the car's condition when purchased (in its non-standard red)

The Condition

Beautifully presented in Pastel Blue

Restored to a very high standard with plenty of new panels

As a result, we can't spot any dents, dings or unusual wear

De-bumpered, though new and re-chromed bumpers and fittings are included in the sale

An 'Aston style' fuel filler has been incorporated

The chassis was in very good condition upon purchase

It's still very clean and solid

Internally, the car has been very nicely restored and retrimmed

New blue carpets were fitted with contrasting cream leather upholstery

The headlining is new

Instruments and switchgear are all functioning

The woodwork has been re-lacquered

A 'Les Leston' period wood-rim steering wheel has been fitted

Beautifully presented thanks to its extensive restoration, this fixed-head coupe is a beautiful survivor. The Pastel Blue livery is effortlessly cool, and perfectly suits the flowing, curvy lines that made the Jaguar coupes so immediately iconic. The restoration has clearly been done to a very high standard - everything is straight and true, with a lovely, sumptuous shine.

Internally, the car has been retrimmed to an equal standard. Everything is plush, well presented and filled with that distinctive '50s British glamour. The cream leather contrasts beautifully against the dark blue carpets and red belts, while the rich wooden dash fascia is clean and well-presented. 

The Mechanics

Fully rebuilt and upgraded as part of the car's restoration

3.8-litre engine, fully rebuilt with new liners, pistons, valves, bearings, etc.

5-speed gearbox offers more relaxed motorway driving and improved fuel consumption

The original Close Ratio 4-speed gearbox is included in the sale

Engine starts quickly with a high torque starter

Breathing is improved with new carburettors supplied from a new aluminium fuel tank, a sports air filter, and a Stainless Steel exhaust manifold coupled to a Falcon twin pipe system

Cooling is enhanced with an aluminium radiator and expansion tank

The thermal controlled cold start device is now operated manually from a switch under the dash

An upgraded anti-roll bar and Blockley radial tyres provide sure-footed cornering

With the impressive list above, there's little doubt that this XK is ready to really go through its paces. Running better than it would have leaving the factory, this fixed-head is faster and more capable than its original - already impressive - period spec, and we understand that it's starting, shifting and driving exactly as it should.

The vendor, being a retired engineer, clearly knew his way into getting the best out of the car, and we expect that even the most seasoned enthusiast will feel that familiar thrill when the car is weaving along a B-road at full pace. This really isn't one to be missed.