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Bonhams

101 New Bond Street London

W1S 1SR

1956 JAGUAR XK140 ROADSTER For Sale by Auction

Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Saturday 2nd December at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters, London 35 collectors motor cars and motorcycles. The full online catalogue can be viewed at - details above. For further images and information on this lot, please follow the link.

ONE OF ONLY 73 RIGHT-HAND DRIVE ROADSTERS BUILT
1956 JAGUAR XK140 ROADSTER
Registration no. 982 UYK
Chassis no. 800065DH

* Delivered in Australia
* In-period race history
* 380 miles since full restoration (completed 2013)
* Eligible for a wide variety of prestigious events

£150, 000 - 180, 000
€170, 000 - 200, 000

'For 1955, Jaguar present a range of models incorporating not only added refinements, but mechanical advances directly derived from their many outstanding successes in international competitive events. All the wealth of experience gained on the race-tracks of the world and in record-breaking speed and endurance tests is built into every Jaguar to provide for discriminating motorists the highest degree of efficient performance allied to comfort and safety.' - Jaguar Cars Ltd.

Launched in 1954, the Jaguar XK140 was broadly similar to, though more refined than, its sensational XK120 predecessor, major engineering changes being confined to the repositioning of the engine 3" further forward and the adoption of rack-and-pinion steering as used on the racing C-Type. The suspension and brakes remained much as before, though with stiffer torsion bars at the front and telescopic shock absorbers replacing the previous lever type at the rear. Like its forbear, the XK140 was built in three model types: roadster, coupé and drophead coupé, the latter two offering usefully increased cabin space and occasional rear seats. Outwardly the newcomer was distinguishable by its revised radiator grille, rear lights incorporating flashing indicators, and larger bumpers - the latter adopted to withstand the cut and thrust of urban parking.

The power unit remained Jaguar's well-tried, 3. 4-litre, twin-cam six, which now produced 190bhp in standard trim thanks to higher-lift camshafts and revised porting. To ensure reliability, steel bearing caps replaced the previous cast-iron type. A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased performance while Laycock-de Normanville overdrive became an option for the first time. Special Equipment (SE) XK140s came with wire wheels and Lucas fog lamps, and could be ordered with an engine developing 210bhp courtesy of the 'C'-type cylinder head. XK140 performance was well up to the standards set by its exemplary predecessor, contemporary magazine road-tests regularly recording top speed figures in excess of 120mph. Tested by Road & Track magazine, a USA-specification XK140 MC (as the 'C'-type head-equipped SE version was known there) recorded a 0-60mph time of 8. 4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 121. 1mph.

Writing in Autosport, John Bolster had this to say: 'The Jaguar XK140 is a very high class machine that has more delightful qualities than almost any other car on the market. I have long ago given up wondering how they make them for the money; for sheer value there is nothing to compare with them in the high-performance field.'

One of 73 right-hand drive XK140 roadsters made, this example was supplied via Jaguar dealer Bryson in Sydney, Australia The car was delivered finished in Pearl Grey with blue interior and black soft-top, and was equipped with overdrive transmission. '800065' is one of only three right-hand drive XK140 roadsters supplied new to Australia.

In April 1956 the Jaguar was sold to its first owner, to Air Commodore Alfred Adnams of Edgecliff, Sydney. Born in Surrey, England in 1909, Air Commodore Adnams enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, which included commanding three separate bomber and fighter bases during WW2. In 1955 he was posted to Australia on an exchange basis, and took command of the Royal Australian Air Force's Land-Air Warfare School at Williamtown near Newcastle, New South Wales. He died in Sydney in 1969.

It is not known how long Air Commodore Adams kept the XK, but in June 1960 it showed up at the Australian Grand Prix meeting at Lowood where it was raced by Bernie Maudsley. Documentation on file records the names of subsequent owners in Australia, one of whom, Rob Gill, wrote an article about his XK140 for Sports Car World magazine (June 1974 edition, copy on file). In 1980 the Jaguar was acquired by previous owner Jim Byrne, who kept it for 34 years. Eventually, in 2009, he decided to carry out a full 'last nut and bolt' restoration, on the completion of which the car was bought by the current vendor (in July 2014) and brought back to the UK.
Offered with a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate, V5C document, and sundry restoration invoices, '800065DN' represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a rare right-hand drive XK140 roadster with in-period race history, eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic motoring events.

Bonhams would like to thank John Elmgreen for his assistance in preparing this description.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
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