2020-12-14 12:10:29 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
hymanltd.com/vehicles/6828-1956-jaguar-xk140-mc-drophead/

Seller's description:
1956 Jaguar XK140 MC Drophead

Superb in every respect, this outstanding XK140 is a rare and desirable drophead coupe, equipped from new in high-performance MC specification. The accompanying Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust certificate shows this XK140 was completed on March 26, 1956, destined for the USA via Jaguar Cars, New York. It was finished in cream over black trim and a black hood and delivered to its first owner, Mr. John Reid Topping in Clearwater, Florida. The production records confirm this is a genuine MC equipped with the optional close-ratio gearbox, an unusual combination of the more luxury-oriented drophead coupe. Little is known of the car’s early history, though it wound up in the Northeast by the early 1970s. The most recent owner discovered this XK in somewhat tired condition in 1974 and immediately fell in love with its beautiful shape. Scraping together the funds with help from her mother, she purchased it and brought it to her family’s barn, where it sat virtually untouched and undriven from 1974 to 2017. Finally, after years quietly tucked away, the owner of this XK140 treated it to the restoration it rightfully deserved.

By the time the restoration commenced, the owner was an experienced concours judge at prestigious events around the country, and used that experience to guide the project. They commissioned Phoenix Auto Restorations of Hackettstown, NJ, to perform a nut-and-bolt, body-off restoration finished to concours standards. The owner selected a stunning period-correct color combination of British Racing Green with complementing green hides. Finishing it off is a dark green canvas hood, matching green boot cover, and sparkling chrome wire wheels for a final flourish. The results are nothing short of spectacular, with concours-quality paintwork, gorgeous chrome, and superlative detailing inside and out.

The interior is beautifully finished in green leather with matching carpets. The seat upholstery is taut and crisp, showing minimal signs of use since completion of the restoration. Door cards, seatbacks, and interior panels are trimmed using factory-correct materials. Extensive burl woodwork sets the drophead coupe apart from its sportier roadster sibling, all restored to a very high standard. The Smiths instruments and Lucas switchgear are correct, as is the distinctive four-spoke steering wheel. The boot is well detailed and trimmed using authentic Hardura vinyl material and houses a beautifully restored jack, jack handle, grease gun, knock-off hammer, and an original tool kit.

Per the Heritage Certificate, this car retains its original, matching-numbers 3.4-liter block and highly desirable C-Type cylinder head, which bumps output to a factory-rated 210 horsepower. Combined with the optional close-ratio 4-speed manual gearbox, this XK140 delivers the performance to match its sublime looks. In keeping with the restoration’s quality, the engine is exquisitely detailed, with beautifully polished alloy cam covers, carburetor dashpots, and intake manifold. The exhaust manifolds are finished in proper black porcelain enamel and in excellent condition, affixed with the correct brass nuts. The head is painted the proper shade of red, while the plumbing, wiring, fasteners, and hardware are all fitted to factory-correct standards throughout the engine compartment. The brass ID tag was replaced with an accurate reproduction, though the original piece is included in the sale.

Now offered to the public for the first time in over 40 years, this exquisitely restored and desirable XK140 MC is sure to capture the gaze of any Jaguar devotee. It is ideal for enjoyment judged JCNA events or a wide range of concours, and it will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to any enthusiast’s stable.
$235,000

2022-02-06 10:09:59 | pauls writes:

Also listed at:

classiccars.com/listings/view/1419113/1956-jaguar-xk140-for-sale-in-saint-louis- ...

Same seller, Price:$199,500

2023-02-04 17:54:05 | pauls writes:

Going to auction 2/23

www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/am23_070/1956-jaguar-xk140-mc-drop-head-coupe

Auction description:

1956 Jaguar XK140 MC Drop Head Coupe

The Amelia Auction | Estimate: $150,000 - $180,000

The rarest XK140 variant

Meticulously restored for its knowledgeable longtime owner

Original, numbers-matching engine block and head

Fascinating ownership history

Scored 99.95 of 100 points at the 2022 JCNA Concours d'Elegance

Outstanding condition throughout; one of the finest

Chassis No. S 818453

Engine No. G 7356-8S

Body No. P 4841

The XK140 MC drophead coupe offered here was originally desirably optioned with the close-ratio gearbox, as confirmed by its Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. The Certificate notes that the car was completed on March 26, 1956, then imported via Jaguar Cars of New York and sold to original owner John Reid Topping of Clearwater, Florida. Mr. Topping was the 34-year-old sportsman son of Henry J. Topping, heir to the Republic Iron and Steel Company, and his wife Rhea, heiress to the American Can Company, and thus grew up in doubly monied splendor in both New York and the Sunshine State. His brother, Dan Topping, was the longtime owner of the New York Yankees. All the Topping men were avid socialites with playboy lifestyles, for which a hot new Jaguar drophead was a perfect accessory.

In 1974 the Jaguar was discovered by a lady enthusiast who, stricken by its beauty, scraped together the funds to buy it with help from her obliging mother. It remained in storage in the family's barn until 2017, when its owner finally began restoration, having by that time become a widely recognized Jaguar concours judge with the expertise to oversee such an endeavor. Phoenix Auto Restorations of Hackettstown, New Jersey, expertly refinished the car in the period-correct colors of British Racing Green with green leather interior, dark green canvas top with matching boot cover, and chrome wire wheels. All of the interior trim and hardware is painstakingly correct, including the Hardura vinyl material used within the trunk. Inspection shows that both the block and cylinder head remain original, and the engine compartment is as superbly correctly finished as the rest of the car. The owner notes that all of the work was done per the Jaguar Club of North America guidelines for a concours correct car. Well-kept to the same high standard by the present owner, the Jaguar won a Palmetto Award in its class at the 2022 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance, then was scored at 99.95 of 100 points in the JCNA Concours later that year.

Accompanying is a roll of original tools, as well as a manual, jack and handle, grease gun, Thor knock-off hammer, full matching spare, and the original data plate. Further the car is complete with the aforementioned JDHT Certificate and a photo album documenting the restoration.

This is, quite simply, one of the finest examples of this rarest XK140 variant on the market, and is deserving of a home in the finest Jaguar collection.