2025-11-15 09:37:50 | pauls writes:

Car is at auction 11/25

online.doningtonauctions.com.au/m/lot-details/index/catalog/262/lot/66840/

Auction description:

1955 Jaguar XK140 S.E. Fixed-Head Coupé

Desirable Special Equipment version

Older restoration from long-term ownership

Documented history

Ideal events and rally car

Chassis no. A814021DN

Engine no. G2523-8

Documented by Australian Jaguar historians Terry McGrath and John Elmgreen in their impressive work “The Jaguar XK140 in the Southern Hemisphere” published in 2022 (and update of their original work on the subject), chassis A814021DN was completed on February 10, 1955 and dispatched to Californian distributor Charles Hornburg on March 7, making it one of the very earliest XK140s built. Originally finished in maroon with biscuit trim, the Jaguar is an original Special Equipment car (albeit without the C-type head according to McGrath and Elmgreen’s research) and left the Browns Lane factory equipped with overdrive.

The early history of A814021DN remains largely untraced but the Jaguar ended up with an owner in Saratoga, California by the 1980s, who sold it to Paul Schenk of Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia at the end of 1986. Arriving in Sydney early the following year, the car was substantially complete, painted dark blue with black trim and painted wire wheels but wasn’t running and in need of restoration.

Joining the present long-term owner’s growing collection of Jaguars in early 1987, a ground-up restoration was carried out by renowned marque specialist David Wilson of Gosford on the NSW Central Coast over a four-year period. Converted to right-hand drive configuration, the owner chose the classic colour combination of British Racing Green matched with lighter green upholstery and the interior features Suede Green competition-style bucket seats. Back on the road in 1991, the XK140 has been enjoyed enthusiastically over the past 34 years, competing in numerous club rallies. Wilson’s decades-old restoration still presents very well, testimony to both his craftsmanship and the current owner’s careful maintenance and use. Aside from useful additions like a manual choke and cooling fan and a trip meter fitted for rallies, the Jaguar remains pleasingly original. A modern sound system discreetly placed behind the rear parcel shelf plus an electric aerial serve to enhance the driving experience. The paint, chrome and interior upholstery have all developed a lovely patina over the years yet at first glass one could be forgiven for thinking the car was restored only a few years ago, not decades. There are only a few minor stone chips evident and the panel fit and gaps, something notoriously difficult to get right on these XKs, is also very good.

A drive across Sydney’s northern suburbs to delivery the XK140 to Donington’s Amaroo Park premises served to remind just how usable these fixed-head XKs really are. The big six fires into life easily, only requiring choke when starting from cold and is quickly backed off to idle easily. The car handles, steers and stops really well and the only criticism would be the telescopic steering locking mechanism needs fixing, otherwise everything works as it should. Perfect for long distance touring in comfort will be an ideal club car, the XK140 is currently registered in NSW until July 2026.