1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC

2-owner California Car

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Check out this Cool Old Jaguar XK140 for Sale

This 1955 XK140SE is a wonderful, soulful driver quality car with an extensive oral history. It was originally delivered to Hornburg Jaguar, Los Angeles. Its second owner brought it to Sausalito, in Marin County CA, in 1961, where it remained until 2014. The current owner purchased the car in the spring of 2014 from the son of the 2nd owner and it has remained a local car since.

In researching the car, the current owner wound up in contact with a series of mechanics who had worked on it in Marin since the early '60s. It has been well-loved and over time, modified, and then brought back close to original. In the early '70s, the original engine was replaced with a 3.8L triple carb engine. Later a period correct head was later installed on the 3.8L block (the current configuration). In the 1980s the car was repainted in its current Mist Grey color.

Since the present owner purchased the car it has been to specialists in Northern and Central California for inspections and work, including J&G Automotive in San Rafael; British European in Rohnert Park, and British Sports Cars in San Luis Obispo. Work done has been to maximize drivability and has included: full engine assessment, rebuilt oil pump, new water pump, new high-efficiency radiator, electric fan, reconditioned clutch, reconditioned brakes and rebuilt brake cylinders, new (reproduction) steering wheel. The owner also designed and had fabricated a custom bracket that attaches to the seat back mounting points that allows one to recline the driver's seat.

Everything on the car works as designed. Overdrive engages flawlessly. The 3.8L block creates great torque, making it unusually driveable. The car maintains the wire wheels and dual exhausts of the "SE" configuration. The interior has been partially reupholstered. A modern radio had been installed in the dash by the former owner and the current owner has left it in place. All the wood interior trim remains in place. It was refinished many years ago and has patina'd but is presentable and lovely. The car is comfortable, usable, and gets admiring comments everywhere.

Cosmetically this old Jaguar is patina'd throughout but beautiful. There is some goose bumping on the paint on the roof. There is cracking on the paint along the central trim strip on the bonnet. The boot and engine bay are clean but scuffed. The wire wheels (which were re-chromed in the past) are not pristine yet presentable. It is a great cars-and-coffee car, not Pebble Beach. It has a unique charm.

Underneath there is rust in two typical non-structural XK 140 areas: the rear door posts, and the front vent boxes. This is due to its decades in Sausalito and resulting exposure to the Bay air. The owner has had it assessed by the mechanics who have worked on it and been told that there are no structural worries and that it can be a driver for the indefinite future without any need for work. The car is better suited to remaining as it is, with its history and charm and as a reliable no-worries driver.

There isn't written historical documentation but a mechanic in Marin who was involved with it over many years is happy to confirm and discuss its story with a seriously interested buyer. The owner would like it to go to an appreciative home where it will be used and enjoyed as it is with its patina and history intact.

The car was titled when new using the original engine number of G39908S, this was common practice at the time and since it has never left California it has never been changed. Because the car may be sold out of state we have ordered a corrected title showing the chassis number stamped into the frame of S814381DN. We are expecting the title shortly. Available here at Left Coast Classics.