1955 Jaguar XK140

1955 Jaguar XK140 FIA Competition FHC Italian Registration No: FF686DH

UK Registration No: XK147 Chassis no. 814873DN Original Engine no. G5345-8

Current Engine No: 7B9411-8

• Converted to competition specification by Trevor Groom.
• Successful Classic Le Mans participant 2006.
• Successful Mille Miglia participant in 2019.

This Jaguar XK140 coupé was converted for competition in 2004 by Trevor Groom, a highly respected XK specialist, as described in the following 2008 sales listing provided by the car’s then owner.

“Here we have a historic racing Jaguar that competed at the Le Mans Classic two years ago, and as such has its FIA passport, and is eligible to compete again. It is still road registered so what fun is this? Four years ago it was prepared by Trevor Groom who has raced another XK140. It was stripped back to bare metal, photos included, and the following was done. All new suspension fittings, lower wishbone mounts and braced anti roll bar mounts, modified brake system to allow more air to the drum, special proven brake materials were used, new wiring harness, all new suspension fittings, shock absorbers, brake lines, armoured pipes, cylinders, new bucket seats, new double core alloy radiator, uprated water pump with special header tank system, new master switches, alloy fuel tank, new fuel lines, facet pump, four speed synchro with o/d, green organic clutch diaphragm, engine built by Dave Butcher, twin SU carbs, special exhaust system, full roll cage, louvered bonnet and Mallory twin ignition. The car gained two class wins in its last two outings in 2004, and finished one place behind Sir Stirling Moss in the 2006 Le Mans Classic! A real piece of history.”

The car had a new 3.4-litre ‘C-Type’ competition-spec engine, built by Dave Butcher, fitted in 2005, along with an XJ6 overdrive gearbox, new brakes and clutch, and the other mechanical work mentioned above.

In 2014/15 the car’s engine was rebuilt - there are photographs - and the car received new/refurbished trim and upholstery by Italian specialists and was repainted in the fabulous shade of Écuri Écosse Blue you see today.

The following is taken from a letter from the restorers explaining the work done (apologies for the quality of the translation from the original Italian).

“The car was disassembled in all its external parts and the seats were removed to add the carpet, the front and rear hood and the doors were removed, some parts of the body were brought to sheet metal, some parts were broken and rusted, some stamps were straightened and plastered. A filler bottom plus normal bottom was given, the car was painted. The left front window has been replaced with a new kit and the carpet inside the car was mounted by the upholstery, plus a rubber mat in the rear trunk NB: since the bodywork has not been totally brought to sheet metal, any rust dots in the parts where the car has not been touched are not excluded. We attach old and new paint tags to the sheet.”

The person selling this car, a man who is very well known to us and has an excellent reputation in the world of classic vehicle restoration and curation, is doing so on behalf of his friend, the owner.

He expressed his incredulity and surprise to us that this car, made in England in the 1950s, has no oil leaks whatsoever.

High praise indeed.

He also tells us that the competition spec engine and mechanicals make the car an exhilarating joy to drive.

The car’s FIA registration is current. Its FIVA registration has lapsed but, as the car has not changed since the last time it was registered, reinstating it should be simple.

The car is currently in Italy and has Italian registration documents. Its UK registration was never cancelled so, as far as we’re aware, all that’s required is a request to the DVLA for a new V5.

As far as we can tell, it won’t be necessary for a UK buyer to pay import duty.

This a seriously gorgeous car and the Écurie Écosse blue paint fair pops and sings in the sunlight.

But it’s not some pampered show pony that never sees the light of day or feels a road under its tyres.

This is a car that’s taken part in the Le Mans Classic, Mille Miglia and other showcase events, so it has the road rash and stone chips you should expect of a car that’s been loved but used.

The bodywork is straight, true and untroubled by any dinks, dents, creases or folds worth mentioning.

The panels, panels gaps and shut-lines all appear to be conforming to the measurements and proportions intended by both the manufacturers and the restorers that followed.

The chrome is good, as are the lights, lenses, badging, trim and other exterior fittings and fixtures.

The paintwork, too is really very good, except for the aforementioned (and entirely expected and acceptable, in our opinion) stone chips and other signs of a life well-lived doing the things it was born to do.

There is a crack in the paint on the passenger door.

There’s also a spidery crack to the paint on the boot lid and a couple of scratches on the fuel filler flap.

It’s a similar story on the inside - a very pleasing overall condition but with some charming patina throughout.

The grey leather bucket seats are in very good order and, although they’ve clearly been used, they are functional and undamaged in any meaningful way.

The carpets are fine, as are the door cards.

There are one of two marks and scratches to the wood inserts on the dashboard and door cappings, but otherwise all is good.

The only exception to the general rule of excellence is a section of wood surround that’s come away from above the front passenger window.

The steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake all appear to be fine.

We didn’t press every button or tweak every toggle, knob or switch but, as far as we can tell (and from what the vendor says), everything does precisely what it’s supposed to do.

The boot is in similarly impressive condition.

The vendor tells us that, as far as he’s aware, the electrics all work and the dials, instruments, toggles, switches and knobs to be found dotted around the cabin all do what they’re supposed to do.

Everything in the shiny, bright, clean and lovely engine bay is as right and proper as you could wish.

The undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity and there are no signs of anything to worry about whatsoever, as far as we can see.

Every aspect of the car’s restorations and use since 2004 are documented, photographed and to be found in the documents section.

We don’t have any history for the car prior to 2004.

We have either copies or originals of its FIA/FIVA passports, Italian and UK registration documents, and some old MoT certificates.

Rest assured, this is a car that’s very well known among classic racing and time-trialling aficionados: it’s the real deal.

Provenance? Glamour? Kudos?

This car finished one place behind Sir Stirling Moss in the 2006 Le Mans Classic – what more do you want?

OK.

You actually do want more.

Well, try the following for size.

It was first restored and fettled to competition spec by Trevor Groom - one of the foremost classic XK whisperers out there.

It has since been restored, retrimmed and reinvigorated by experts in both Italy and the UK.

It has held its head high and performed admirably in numerous FIA/FIVA events.

It drives superbly.

It is being offered for sale by a vendor with, we can attest, exceptionally high standards and a vast wealth of knowledge.

If you really insisted upon it, we don’t suppose it would be that difficult to get this car ready for the weird and wonderful world of concours.

Frankly, though, we don’t know why you’d want to.

It’s a car that deserves to be driven and has the credentials to acquit itself honourably in any future classic events.

It’s also a car we’d all like to pull up in outside a country pub on a lovely summer’s day.

It’s simply wonderful.

We’re confident to offer this fabulous car for auction with an estimate of

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Brescia, Italy. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.