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Jaguar XK140 OTS
Price on Application
Description
This 1954 Jaguar XK140 OTS (Open Two Seater) Roadster is a wonderful example of post-war British sports car engineering at its most elegant and engaging. Beneath its flowing bodywork lies a matching-numbers, C-Type head XK140, built on 24th November 1954 and originally dispatched via Hoffman’s of New York on 30th November that year.
Finished from the factory in Pastel Blue with Blue trim and a Fawn soft top (now Navy), it wears its patina and provenance with distinction.
The car was imported back into the UK in January 1990, part of a wave of desirable LHD examples returning to British shores due to the scarcity of original RHD models. During the 1990s and early 2000s, it underwent a 10-year professional restoration involving several of the most respected names in Jaguar preservation:
Guy Metcalfe of Post War Cars (Cumbria) – chassis, bodywork, and mechanical preparation
Chris Forbes of CFS Motors (Coventry) – mechanical systems
Mike Turley of MCT Jaguar Restorations (Nuneaton) – interior trim and detail work
It was during the restoration that the car was professionally converted to right-hand drive, a widely accepted and sought-after update among collectors and historic drivers in the UK, particularly for cars destined to be enjoyed on British roads. First registered here in May 2000, it joined the current family in April 2005 and remained in their care for the next two decades.
Our client’s father used and maintained the car with enthusiasm and pride, embarking on numerous road trips and attending a host of local, national, and European classic motoring events. Under his ownership, the car amassed a rich archive of history (see images), photographs capturing it in action, correspondence with fellow enthusiasts, period adverts, invoices, receipts, and certificates, including the official Jaguar Heritage Trust record.
When ill health eventually curtailed his ability to drive, the car was carefully stored, preserved as a treasured possession, and kept in excellent order until its recent recommissioning. Today, that wealth of accompanying documentation not only charts the car’s journey but also adds immeasurably to its provenance and appeal.
Early in 2025, the decision was made to sympathetically recommission the car in honour of its late owner’s memory, ensuring it could once again be used and enjoyed by a new custodian.
The Recommissioning by Guy Broad, July 2025
To ensure mechanical soundness and roadworthiness, the XK140 was entrusted to Guy Broad, the world-renowned Jaguar specialist based in Coventry. Completed in July 2025, the work totalled just under £10,000 and included over 70 hours of labour plus a comprehensive list of parts and upgrades:
• Full braking system overhaul: new master cylinder, front and rear wheel cylinders, copper washers and bleed nipples
• Fuel system refresh: new alloy petrol tank, SU float needle/seat kits, new petrol pump, filler hose
• Ignition and cooling updates: electronic ignition, new sports coil, spark plugs, thermostat, gaskets, and water hose set
• Tyres: four 185/16 Retro Sport tyres fitted and balanced
• Battery and electrics: new battery, flasher unit, washer bag kit
• MOT test: valid through July 2026
• Service: fresh oil and fluid change, final tune and road test
The car now presents as a wonderfully usable, lightly modernised classic that retains its mechanical soul while benefitting from key upgrades to reliability and drivability.
Specification & Details
• Model: Jaguar XK140 OTS (Open Two Seater) aka XK140 Roadster
• Year: 1954
• Chassis: S810318 (C-Type head confirmed)
• Engine: G1396-8S – 3.4L twin-cam straight-six
• Cylinder Head: C-Type spec – 9:1 compression, larger valves
• Transmission: 4-speed manual
• Colour: Pastel Blue with Blue leather interior
• Soft Top: Navy
• Trim: Now right-hand drive
• Odometer: 11,178 miles (backed by historic MOT data)
• Ownership: 2 former UK keepers since 2000; long-term family ownership since 2005
• MOT: Valid to July 2026
• Included: Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, recent invoices, clean vehicle history report
Value & Context
With original RHD XK140 OTS models now achieving six-figure sums, this car represents significant value:
• DK Engineering list an extensively restored RHD XK140 OTS SE with upgrades at £249,995
• Classic Motor Hub offer a beautifully restored RHD 1954 XK140 OTS at £140,000
At £69,995, this car sits as a sensible, well-prepared and investment-grade alternative for the driver-enthusiast—offering the performance and presence of the RHD cars at a fraction of the cost, thanks to its LHD origins and carefully executed conversion.
Model History
Launched in 1954 as the successor to the revolutionary XK120, the XK140 introduced several practical refinements while maintaining the elegance and performance that defined Jaguar’s post-war rise.
Notable updates included:
• Improved rack-and-pinion steering
• Revised bumpers, grille and cockpit space
• Optional C-Type head (as fitted to this car), increasing output to 210 bhp
• More comfortable touring manners while preserving spirited character
Approximately 3,350 XK140 Open Two-Seater models were produced between 1954 and 1957, making this variant both rare and highly sought after.
A Revival Companion & A Gentleman’s Choice
Whether it’s a return to Goodwood Revival, a leisurely Sunday drive through the Cotswolds, or simply the joy of hearing that straight-six sing through its double ‘S’ stainless sports exhaust, this XK140 offers authenticity without compromise.
Its value is in its integrity, well-documented, sensibly upgraded, and honest. While Jaguar as a brand continues to redefine itself in the electric age, this car stands as a graceful reminder of why the marque mattered then, and why it still stirs emotion today.
A timeless British sports car, recommissioned with respect and ready to drive, show or simply enjoy. Available now for viewing by appointment. £69,995.
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Jaguar XK140 OTS
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