2008-09-26 20:55:06 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction in '08
www.brightwells.com/3rdparty/orphanspress/classiccars/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 72
Hammer value £121000
Description Jaguar XK140 DHC
Registration RDA 830
Year 1956
Colour British Racing Green
Engine size 3,442 cc
Chassis No. 807314
Engine No. G6295-8

This particular car is one of those few survivors, a genuine right-hand drive drop-head coupe that was supplied new by Attwood's of Wolverhampton in January 1956. Although the V5C records just two owners from new (father and daughter), we have established that the car had one previous local keeper before it was acquired by Arthur Fieldhouse of Park Drive, Wolverhampton, in 1958. He kept the car right up until his death in 1997, at which point ownership was transferred to his daughter who lived just a few doors away.

Residing in the same garage for 50 years, the car has covered less than 30,500 miles from new, a total which is warranted by the owner and is clearly borne out by it's fine condition – although at the time of cataloguing no service history could be found as the contents of the house had been packed up to ready it for sale.

The car is said to be totally original and unrestored throughout, right down to the carpets, the hood and the tool-kit in the boot. The rear springs are still encased in their original leather gaiters with the original grease nipples intact. Apart from a few very small areas which have been touched up in the distant past, the paintwork also appears to be wholly original and close inspection of the chassis shows no signs of any previous welding or other repair work, not even to the sills. The doors still open and shut beautifully with perfect panel gaps, a tribute to the great skill with which these cars were made in the first place – and seldom equalled on restored cars.

The car has been stored on blocks since at least 1997 with all the brightwork, both inside and out, carefully preserved with grease and still in excellent condition today. The woodwork and leather trim is similarly original and outstanding with the kind of patina that only comes from decades of light use and loving care. Every gauge, switch and light on the car still works exactly as it should.

Earlier this year the car was taken out of storage and carefully recommissioned with a full brake system overhaul, all fluids changed and the radiator flushed out. It was then taken for an MOT which it passed with flying colours. It has covered very few miles since then and is said to drive beautifully. A prudent buyer will continue to treat it very gently as it has lain dormant so long. On the occasion of our visit to take these pictures we were treated to a short test drive and were astonished at the car's supple ride, overall mechanical quietness and its utter composure on bumpy surfaces with not a rattle or a squeak in evidence.

Although the hood on this car may need replacing and the carpets are somewhat thin here and there, it remains the finest, most original example we have ever seen – and probably will ever see. A thing of beauty in so many ways and correct in every detail, this is a museum quality object that would be the pride of any collection. It has recently been the subject of a lengthy photo-shoot by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and will be prominently featured in their forthcoming volume on the XK range.

CHASSIS No: 807314
BODY No: P4501
ENGINE No: 6295 - 8
GEARBOX No: JL33576CR

The XK Register has confirmed that all the numbers match on this car and are as it left the factory. This car is previously unknown to the XK Register.

2022-07-01 11:59:21 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

woodham-mortimer.com/Cars/For-Sale/1955-Jaguar-XK140-Drop-Head-Coupe/de6c528f-f0 ...

Seller's description:

1955 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Configuration: RHD

Price: £225,000

What can be said of a car 67 years old that’s covered an average of 460 miles each year? In truth, very little. So, no surprises there then. Bought car, used it for a while and then laid it up. But what is very special about this particular Jaguar is its current role as a time capsule.

Quite possibly the most original XK140 you will ever get to see. This ‘1955 Jaguar XK140 Drop Head Coupe’, still has its beautiful and original British Racing Green Paint.

The Car has been the subject of a lengthy photoshoot by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and is prominently featured in their volume on the XK range.

Sold new to Graphic Technology Ltd in Wolverhampton to be used by Mr A Fieldhouse via Jaguar dealers Charles Attwood Ltd it was despatched on January 18 1956, finished in British Racing Green with suede green interior to be registered RDA 830. The specification wasn’t that special either being supplied on steel wheels with spats although according to the build sheet it did have a close ratio gearbox driven by the production 3,4 litre XK engine.

Little is known of its early life although we suspect that like many of these low mileage cars most of its miles were accrued in those first few years. Apparently, he passed the XK on to his daughter, Mrs Anne Middleton, also of Wolverhampton. At some point, knowing that the Jaguar wouldn’t be used it was put on blocks but what was more important, by accident or design it was stored in ideal conditions. Eventually though the time came when the XK had to be sold on and it went into the trade.

The car is totally original and unrestored throughout, right down to the carpets, the hood and the tool-kit in the boot. The rear springs are still encased in their original leather gaiters with the original grease nipples intact. Apart from a few very small areas which have been touched up in the distant past, the paintwork also appears to be wholly original and close inspection of the chassis shows no signs of any previous welding or other repair work, not even to the sills.

The doors still open and shut beautifully with perfect panel gaps, a tribute to the great skill with which these cars were made in the first place.

The woodwork and leather trim is similarly original and outstanding with the kind of patina that only comes from decades of light use and loving care. Every gauge, switch and light on the car still works exactly as it should.

Eighteen months ago, the car was carefully recommissioned with a full brake system overhaul, all fluids changed and the radiator flushed out. It was then taken for an MOT which it passed with flying colours. It has covered very few miles since then and drives beautifully.

Although the hood on this car has seen better days and the carpets are somewhat thin here and there, it remains the finest, most original example we have ever seen – and probably will ever see. A thing of beauty in so many ways and correct in every detail, this is a museum quality object that would be the pride in any collection.

This Car is now available for sale at Woodham Mortimer