BaT Auction: 1957 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe Project

This 1957 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe is a left-hand-drive model that was manufactured on September 25, 1956, and originally distributed through Jaguar Cars of New York. Prior to 1980, the car was imported to Ontario, Canada, where it was purchased by the seller’s late father in 1994. The seller inherited the car in 2011, and it has been stored for most of the time since. Originally finished in cream over a black leather interior, the car was refinished in white over black vinyl during previous ownership. Power is provided by a 3.4-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and service prior to 2011 included installing a fabricated aluminum fuel tank, repairing the radiator, installing an electric cooling fan, converting the wiring to negative ground with a single 12-volt battery, and installing a gear-reduction starter. This XK140MC FHC is now offered in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate, registration and appraisal records back to 1980, service records since 2008, and transferable Ontario registration.

Originally finished in cream, the body was reportedly repainted in white sometime before 1980. The seller notes chips, dents, and imperfections on the body, and corrosion is noted in the trunk floor, the trunk side panels, and floor pans under the carpets. Holes can be seen at the front lower edge of the quarter panels at the rocker panel seams, at the bottom rear of the left front fender, and on the left-side trunk panel. Pitting and wear can be seen on all chrome pieces, and the seller states that the right-front fog light is not working.

16″ knock-off wire wheels are wrapped in older Dunlop Road Speed tires. The seller notes that the right-rear brake wheel cylinder is leaking, that the brake lights do not work, that the suspension bushings are cracked and worn, and that the steering rack needs servicing.

Originally trimmed in black leather with red piping, the cabin was refurbished during previous ownership with black vinyl on the seats and door panels as well as aftermarket black carpets. Black lap belts are fitted, an electric choke switch has been added beneath the dash, and an aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo is installed. The seller notes that the heater fan does not work, that the center console carpet fits poorly, and the burl wood dash shows wear and discoloration. The wood upper door trim panels have been removed and stripped and will accompany the car. Wiring has been converted to negative ground, and the factory dual battery setup has been converted to a single 12-volt battery. One of the two battery compartment covers has been replaced with a fabricated aluminum replacement.

Instrumentation consists of a 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, a 140-mph speedometer, and gauges for oil pressure, water temperature, amperage, and fuel level. According to the seller, the water temperature gauge does not work, the driver-side interior light does not work, a tachometer backlight is out, the clock does not work, and the fuel-level gauge sometimes sticks at zero. The five-digit odometer shows 40k miles and is believed by the seller to have rolled over. Approximately 500 miles were added by the seller since 2011, and approximately 5k miles were added since the seller’s father purchased the car in 1994. True mileage is unknown.

The 3.4-liter inline-six features a C-type cylinder head, dual overhead camshafts, and twin SU H6 carburetors and was factory rated at 210 horsepower. A fabricated aluminum fuel tank was installed in 2009, and service in 2010 included repairing the radiator to correct leaks and installing an electric cooling fan. A modern gear-reduction starter has been fitted, and the factory carburetor feed hard line has been replaced with a soft hose with an inline filter. The factory fuel line will accompany the car.