2006-01-30 10:47:08 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 2/21/06
www.classicauctions.co.uk/car_entries_index.html

Auction description:
1956 JAGUAR XK140 RACING FIXED HEAD COUPE
RACED AS THE 'VICARS CAR' IN THE 1970'S
Lot 15
Estimate £24000 - 26000
Mileage
Colour GREEN
Trim Colour GREEN
Chassis No S804840
Engine No G9718/8F
Registration No 420 AVT
CC 3800
M.O.T 26.9.2006
420 AVT was first registered in October 1956 and the Heritage certificate states that it was delivered to Byatt Jaguar and was finished in Battleship Grey with the grey interior. It also confirms the special equipment status of the car via the 'S' prefix to the chassis number but unfortunately at this time we do not have much information on its early years. There is a copy of a photograph of the car in 1964 in Newcastle in the history file (more on that copious documentation later), which is intriguing, but one would assume that this was Newcastle Under Lyme rather than the other better known place 'upon Tyne'. This would naturally be before the start of its racing days and whilst it was still a road car.
It is not known either at this time when it started life as a 'lightweight' racer but certainly the history file contains a photograph in the Jaguar Driver of May 1979 showing the Reverend Fellingham (he was famous for racing in his dog collar and so the car was known as 'The Vicar's Car') lapping a certain Roger Saul and AVT is stated as the first XK home in the thoroughbred race. A letter from the Reverend to a subsequent owner, a Mr. Allen Goodall, states the Reverend bought it in 1976 from Oldham and Crowther of Peterborough. It states that this was a second car and it was usually raced by either Martin Crowther or John (metal) Pearson. The specification is listed including stating that it was an 'overall lightweight (for an XK)', with Mk9 brakes with cockpit located twin servos, a 3.8 engine set further back than standard and what is most interesting is that it then had an original 'D' type head fitted - he rather self-effacingly states that this was sold when 'it became worth silly money'. He raced AVT in the 1976 TS Championship through until the end of 1980 and in a few other suitable races - about a dozen races a year - but in 1977 he finished a very creditable fourth in the TS Championship especially as he only considered himself to be merey 'competent'.
It has changed hands several times over the years ending up in 1999 with Mr. Paul Carter, the renowned Bentley racer. He had decided that he wished to complete the Carrera Panamerica and decided that he would do this in an XK, because of its strength and reliable power plant, and set about finding a suitable car. When he found AVT with its contemporary history he knew he had found the right car.
He set about a complete rebuild and restoration to a different specification because it would have to complete thousands of miles at maximum speed in largely inhospitable conditions. He sent the car to David Sedge of Maidstone, a well-known and respected Jaguar and Bentley engineer who set about making this a real contender. The car was completely rebuilt, there are photographs in the history file showing this, and strengthened where necessary with the engine getting a complete revamp with larger valves and a specification too great to list here - enough said when David still thinks of this as one of the best engines he has ever built. A Getrag five speed box was also built and a look in the history file at the wiring diagram and costs will be enough to show you the detail they went to in order to ensure the car would finish.
In the event it was an impossible dream for Paul and it never happened albeit he managed to enter various rallies including the Monte Carlo retrospective and a host of races with a variety of clubs. Having spent some ú60,000 'at least' on the car a chance conversation with Simon Hope of H&H Classic Auctions meant Simon was the new owner because he wanted to be able to do regularity tours and rallies as well as race a car and he thought that this would be perfect. Simon bought the car last year and had the car fully overhauled and the gearbox changed back to the original by David Sedge. He then had a test day at Mallory whereafter he sent it to the well-respected CMC organisation for some work, which included a brake overhaul, new tyres, and some general 'sorting' so he could go racing. He has only managed, due to work commitments, one race in the car at Oulton Park where he was the first XK140 home and certainly beat various cars that he would not have been able to do if this wasn't a competitive car (the relevant programme and race results are included in the history file).
Reluctantly for sale today due to the fact that Simon has changed his mind as to the direction of his racing and therefore, again with work commitments, cannot see himself using the car this year. It has been sent to ready it for sale to Don Law and any obvious faults have been rectified and it is now ready to hit the track again and take on the very best.

2006-03-10 11:25:37 | pauls writes:

Hammer price £24500 at above auction.

2010-04-29 09:15:11 | pauls writes:

Partial listing for this car found on the net. Unknown ad date, links are a dead end. PostWar Classics is live but this ad does not appear.

Jaguar for Sale - Classic Jaguar car for sale - PostWar Classics

1956 Jaguar XK140 FHC FHC for sale - 1956 Jaguar XK140 Racing Fixed Head Coup? Chassis number S804540 Engine Number G9718/8F Registration number 420AVT

2010-04-30 07:00:01 | Peter Ingram writes:

These details refer to S804840 "The Vicars Car" now owned by Simon Hope of H&H Auctions

2010-06-20 20:16:37 | Anonymous writes:

Vintage & Prestige Fine Motorcars
Hemel Hempstead & Berkshire Please telephone for an appointment

1956 Jaguar XK140 Racing Fixed Head Coupé

Chassis number S804540
Engine Number G9718/8F
Registration number 420AVT

A superb car completely set up for vintage racing with over £60,000 spent on modifications. The car was completely rebuilt for the Carrera Panamerica in 1999. Thus the car was designed to complete thousands of miles at maximum speeds in inhospitable conditions. The car never completed the race due to a change in the owners circumstances.

The body was completely taken apart & rebuilt of which there is a photographic record. It was strengthened where necessary & steel panels replace with lightweight aluminium in every place possible. The 3.8 litre Engine was built by Specialist David Sedge of Maidstone who rates it as one of the best he ever built. A 5 speed Getrag 'box was added at the same time.

Inside the car is pure racer with full harness belts, Integral roll cage, Ignition cut off, fire extinguisher etc etc etc. The car has raced at Oulton Park & assorted other venues where it has acquitted itself well proving very competitive.

The exterior is finished in British Racing green with matching wire wheels on knock off hubs. A quick fill D type style alloy fuel filler car sits on the rear wing.

Under the current ownership the car has been used purely as a fast road car for high days & holidays. The full length webasto sunroof makes for an almost alfresco drive. You really have to drive the car to appreciate how fast it is & what a pleasure it is to drive. Quite unlike any XK I have ever experienced. Not a car for shy retiring types, but a whole lot of fun & eligible for historic racing. The car may be viewed by appointment neat Peterborough.

2010-08-24 17:11:23 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:
www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/car-details/1956-jaguar-xk140-racing-fixed-head-co ...

Sellers description:
1956 Jaguar XK140 Racing Fixed Head Coupé * Price: £49,800

Chassis number S804540
Engine Number G9718/8F
Registration number 420AVT

A superb car completely set up for vintage racing, with over £60,000 spent on modifications. The car was completely rebuilt for the Carrera Panamerica in 1999. Thus the car was designed to complete thousands of miles at maximum speeds in inhospitable conditions. The car never completed the race due to a change in the owner's circumstances.

The body was completely taken apart & rebuilt; there is a photographic record of this. It was strengthened where necessary & steel panels replaced with lightweight aluminium in every place possible. The 3.8 litre engine was built by specialist David Sedge of Maidstone, who rates it as one of the best he ever built. A 5 speed Getrag 'box was added at the same time.

Inside the car is pure racer with full harness belts, integral roll cage, ignition cut off, fire extinguisher etc etc etc. The car has raced at Oulton Park & assorted other venues where it has acquitted itself well, proving very competitive.

The exterior is finished in British Racing Green with matching wire wheels on knock off hubs. A quick fill D type style alloy fuel filler cap sits on the rear wing.

Under the current ownership the car has been used purely as a fast road car for high days & holidays. The full length webasto sunroof makes for an almost alfresco drive. You really have to drive the car to appreciate how fast it is & what a pleasure it is to drive. Quite unlike any XK I have ever experienced. Not a car for shy retiring types, but a whole lot of fun & eligible for historic racing. The car may be viewed by appointment neat Peterborough.

2010-10-01 11:38:50 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 9/10
www.historics.co.uk

Auction description:
colour BRG
interior colour Green
drive RHD
type Coupe
year 1956
Chassis No. S804540
Engine No. G9718/8F
Price estimate: 40.000 - 55.000 GBP
VAT No
city Brooklands
country United Kingdom
For sale by auction with Historics at Brooklands, 25th September 2010, Weybridge, UK.

In 1999, this striking example was completely rebuilt in order to compete in the Carrera Panamericana that year and so designed to complete thousands of miles, at speed and often in inhospitable conditions and to that end, over £60,000 was spent on modifications and competition preparation. Unfortunately 420AVT never took part due to a change in the owner's circumstances and so it remains completely set up for vintage racing and in an unused and ready condition.

The body was completely taken apart and rebuilt together with a photographic record. It was then strengthened where necessary and steel panels replaced with lighter aluminium where possible. The 3.8 litre engine was re-built by specialist David Sedge of Maidstone, who, at the time, rated it as one of the best he ever built. A five-speed Getrag gearbox was also added at the same time. Inside the car, the seats are equipped with full harness belts, integral roll cage, ignition cut off, fire extinguisher as well as other standard completion modifications that you would expect. It has raced at Oulton Park as well as a number of other venues and has acquitted itself well. The exterior is finished in British Racing Green with matching wire wheels and knock-off hubs. A quick fill D-Type style alloy fuel filler cap also sits on the rear wing. Under the current ownership, the car has been used purely as a fast road car for high days and holidays with a full-length Webasto sunroof making for an almost alfresco drive.

2010-10-04 08:31:19 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 9/10
www.historics.co.uk
Note investigation of the paperwork associated with the car has revealed that the car is actually 804840, not 804540 as described in the auction description.

Auction description:
colour BRG
interior colour Green
drive RHD
type Coupe
year 1956
Chassis No. S804540
Engine No. G9718/8F
Price estimate: 40.000 - 55.000 GBP
VAT No
city Brooklands
country United Kingdom
For sale by auction with Historics at Brooklands, 25th September 2010, Weybridge, UK.

In 1999, this striking example was completely rebuilt in order to compete in the Carrera Panamericana that year and so designed to complete thousands of miles, at speed and often in inhospitable conditions and to that end, over £60,000 was spent on modifications and competition preparation. Unfortunately 420AVT never took part due to a change in the owner's circumstances and so it remains completely set up for vintage racing and in an unused and ready condition.

The body was completely taken apart and rebuilt together with a photographic record. It was then strengthened where necessary and steel panels replaced with lighter aluminium where possible. The 3.8 litre engine was re-built by specialist David Sedge of Maidstone, who, at the time, rated it as one of the best he ever built. A five-speed Getrag gearbox was also added at the same time. Inside the car, the seats are equipped with full harness belts, integral roll cage, ignition cut off, fire extinguisher as well as other standard completion modifications that you would expect. It has raced at Oulton Park as well as a number of other venues and has acquitted itself well. The exterior is finished in British Racing Green with matching wire wheels and knock-off hubs. A quick fill D-Type style alloy fuel filler cap also sits on the rear wing. Under the current ownership, the car has been used purely as a fast road car for high days and holidays with a full-length Webasto sunroof making for an almost alfresco drive.

2012-07-02 21:33:27 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 7/12
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Auction description:
Lot 157 - 1956 Jaguar XK140 Fixedhead Coupe - Ex "The Flying Vicar"
Estimate: £58,000 - £70,000
Registration Number: 420 AVT
Chassis Number: S804840

In 1999 420 AVT was purchased by well known Bentley racer Paul Carter who invested over £60,000 in the car in order to compete in the Carrera Pan America. The car was rebuilt by respected Jaguar specialist David Sedge who lightened and strengthened the car and rebuilt the engine which reportedly produces 315bhp in its current guise.

Unfortunately Carter was unable to run the car in the Carrera Pan America, but did take part in the Monte Carlo Retro and various club events, which showed this vehicle to be a very competitive winning car. Subsequently 420 AVT had a light refurbishment at renowned Jaguar specialists CMC which included a brake overhaul and new tyres in order for the car to be at the front of the grid.

With superb race winning history and well maintained throughout its racing career, this fabulous XK140 is described as being in very good condition throughout and is eligible for a plethora of historic race and rally events.

Road legal and supplied with a V5 document and history file, this is a wonderful motor car for a first foray into historic motorsport or equally as challenging for the seasoned pro.

2013-03-31 00:34:35 | pauls writes:

Car returned to auction 2/13
www.silverstoneauctions.com/jaguar-xk140-fixedhead-coupe-competition

Auction description:
Race Retro & Classic Car Sale
1956 Jaguar XK140 Fixedhead Coupe SE Competition
Lot No.: 245
Registration: 420 AVT
Chassis Number: S804840
Engine Number: G9718/8F
Number of cylinders: 6
CC: 3400
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Estimate (£): 58,000 - 65,000
Sold for (£): Unsold
This rare and desirable Jaguar XK 140 'Special Equipment' model is a UK right hand drive car that was first registered '420 AVT' in October 1956 and supplied by Bryant Jaguar. It was to find a certain notoriety when purchased by the Reverend John Fellingham in the 1970's and used for racing by him to great acclaim, particularly as he wore his 'dog collar' whilst racing! Several pictures in the comprehensive history file prove this.

From then on it was known affectionately as 'The Vicar's Car'. He modified it for his racing exploits by converting it to lightweight specification and fitting it with a 'D' Type cylinder head. They were a successful combination, as period results prove, even winning at Silverstone in the 'Thoroughbred' race in 1979. The history file confirms results and shows period shots of 'The Vicar's Car' racing in the TS Championship from 1976 until the early eighties.

The next chapter for the car started when the new owner, ex Bentley racer Paul Carter, decided to prepare the car for the 'Carrera Panamericana' in 1999. At a cost then of over £60,000 was spent with renowned XK expert, David Sedge of Maidstone. The history file shows photos of all the preparation work, essential for reliability and the strength required on such a major global endurance event. This included replacing many steel panels with lightweight aluminium.

Further engine work took the BHP up to just over 300 requiring a Getrag 5 speed 'box, an integral roll cage, full harnesses, a 'D Type' style alloy filler cap and a competition fire extinguisher to allow for the cars extra performance. Rated as 'the best XK' David had built at the time, it sadly never made the start of the intended Carrera Panamericana, but was to go on to race nationally at Oulton Park and proved to be 100% reliable on the Monte Carlo Retro.

2013-06-24 19:02:10 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 6/13
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Auction description:
Lot 156 - 1956 Jaguar XK140 Fixedhead Coupe Ex 'The Flying Vicar
Estimate: £50,000 - £65,000
Registration Number: 420 AVT
Chassis Number: S804840

In 1999 420 AVT was purchased by well known Bentley racer Paul Carter who invested over £60,000 in the car in order to compete in the Carrera Pan America. The car was rebuilt by respected Jaguar specialist David Sedge who lightened and strengthened it and rebuilt the engine, which reportedly produces 315bhp in its current tune.

Unfortunately Carter was unable to run the car in the Carrera Pan America, but did take part in the Monte Carlo Retro and various club events, which showed this to be a very competitive car. Subsequently 420 AVT had a light refurbishment at renowned Jaguar specialists CMC, which included a brake overhaul and new tyres in order for the car to be at the front of the grid.

With superb race winning history and well maintained throughout its racing career, this fabulous XK140 is eligible for a plethora of historic race and rally events. Road legal and supplied with a V5 document and history file containing bills and receipts from specialists such as Guy Broad, this is a wonderful motor car for a first foray into historic motorsport while equally as challenging for the seasoned pro.

2015-07-21 13:06:20 | pauls writes:

Car listed as sold at:
www.dkeng.co.uk/Vehicle_Archive/321/Jaguar_XK140_FHC.html