Jaguar XK 140 DHC

Specifications

First registration

1955

Mileage

30'350 km

Fuel

Benzin

Transmission

Manuell

Power

190 PS

Location

Grosswangen

Videos

Gallery

Vehicle description

There are convertibles where the wind is just wind. And there are convertibles where the wind suddenly becomes a time machine. The Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupé belongs to the second category: a car that doesn't just drive open, but feels open – in an elegant, mature way, as only the great British sports car era could deliver. This example has both a verifiable history and an interesting chassis number. On December 31, 1954, this XK, as number six of the right-hand drive XK convertibles, left the factory and was delivered to the dealer Henlys in London on January 17. Just one day later, the first owner, Calor Gas Company in Addlestone, registered the car for the first time. In May 1980, the vehicle was sold to the second owner in nearby Aldershot, who repainted the car white and in turn sold it in 1985 to the then president of the Veteran Vehicle Club in Western Switzerland (VCCSR). 10 years later, the vehicle was again sold to a Western Swiss resident, who sold the good piece in modest condition to the 5th and current owner. He took the XK140 directly to the XK specialist Norbert Kopitza in Rheinfelden, where it was extensively restored over a period of 5 years and returned to its delivery condition (Concours) – but with a few extras: front disc brakes and power steering found their way into the vehicle. Since 2006, the car has been regularly driven and maintained, has attended several events and rallies throughout Europe, and has even won an award or two. The reason for this, in addition to its condition, is the "matching numbers". Interior and exterior colors, Blue and Pastel Blue, are original, and the engine, gearbox, and body numbers also match the production papers. The XK runs excellently and shifts very smoothly with the 4-speed gearbox with overdrive (Moss Box). The paintwork is in very good condition, and the dark blue interior is also impressive – the car has aged, but it hardly shows. Now the XK140 is with us, and one of the fastest sports cars of the 50s is looking forward to a new chapter. The appeal, however, lies not only in the driving dynamics but also in the overall picture: the proportions, the lines, the way the classic feels when it's not just standing but living. An XK140 DHC is not a car for hectic minutes. It's for the moment when you drop your shoulders, open the top, and realize: This isn't transport – this is driving pleasure. More data and pictures can be found at: www.lunicars.com Details: - 30'350 km - 1st Reg. 18.01.1955 - Veteran MFK 14.10.2022 - 3'442 ccm R6-Engine - 190 PS - Type Certificate 1716X - Master Number 430.011.741 - Chassis 807006 - Empty Weight 1’410 kg - Payload 300 kg Model History The Jaguar XK140 was built from 1954 to 1957 and was the direct successor to the legendary XK120. At its core, the formula remained the same: long hood, classic FR layout, and the famous Jaguar six-cylinder – but Jaguar noticeably refined the overall package. Key improvements included a larger interior, better brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, as well as more suspension travel and telescopic shock absorbers instead of the earlier lever-arm dampers. These very points are why many connoisseurs consider the XK140 to be the "more everyday-suitable" XK: less compromised than the XK120, but still before the greater comfort orientation of the XK150. The XK140's engine is closely linked to the famous Jaguar XK DOHC in-line six-cylinder, developed by William Heynes. In its standard configuration, the XK140 is quoted with an output of around 190 bhp. Optionally, depending on specification, the variant with a C-Type cylinder head was available, which produced 210 bhp. Key figures behind this era include primarily Sir William Lyons as the defining figure of the brand, who stood for style and brand image, and William “Bill” Heynes as the central engineer who decisively shaped Jaguar's technical identity. Heynes was with SS Cars/Jaguar from 1935 and later became Technical Director/Chief Engineer. The XK engine was designed during the war/post-war period and introduced in 1948. The fact that the XK140 stands on exactly this technical foundation explains its reputation: long distances, mechanical refinement, and that typical Jaguar feeling where sportiness always remains elegance. The DHC (Drophead Coupé) body variant plays a special role in the XK140 program: it combines a true open-top experience with more weather protection and comfort than the Roadster, which is why many enthusiasts consider it the most balanced XK form. Ultimately, the Jaguar XK140 DHC represents a rare blend of beauty, engineering quality, and usability. And that is precisely why a professional restoration is so valuable: it turns a coveted classic into one that you not only want to look at but truly want to drive.