1957 Jaguar XK140 FHC

Description

1957 Jaguar XK140 FHC
True California blue plate car that matches the title, bought new in California in 1957 and remained until 2017
From the personal collection of the Astor Classics Museum
Two owner car, previous owner had the car since 1983
Purchased new from San Diego British Motors from a Naval captain who willed the Jag to his 13 year old nephew in 1960
The car was then stored away in the family garage until 1983, believed to only have 46k original miles
Load...ed with MC equipment such as windscreen jets, Lucas fog lights and dual exhaust
Final year for the XK140 and one of only 1,965 left-hand drive Fixed Head Coupes made between 1954 and 1957
Pastel Blue exterior and dark blue interior with Connolly Leather seats and Wilton wool carpet
Numbers matching 3.4L DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, dual SU carburetors and dual exhaust
Numbers matching four-speed manual transmission
Four-wheel-drum brakes and body-colored Dayton Wire Wheels
Optional functioning tube powered Radiomobile S. Smith & Sons radio
Original operator/maintenance/service handbook and California registrations 
Suave, sophisticated and very English, MotoeXotica Classic Cars is very proud to present this 1957 Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupe. Purchased in 1957 in San Diego, California by a U.S. Naval Captain from San Diego British Motors, this car is only one of 1,965 left-hand drive Fixed Head Coupes made between 1954 and 1957. In 1960 the captain willed this car to his nephew, who was just 13. While it waited for its new owner to reach driving age, the car was stored in a garage on the family’s farm, where it remained for 22 years and then purchased by Arthur Astor in 1983.
Art Astor is the owner of radio stations KCEO, KSPA in the Inland Empire and KFSD in San Diego, he is a 50-year veteran of Southern California broadcasting. In addition over the past 30 years Astor had assembled a truly spectacular stable of vintage automobiles, over 250 low-mileage examples spanning the 1920s to the 1970s and this 1967 Jaguar was one of the first additions to Astor's amazing car collection. Please note that we also have the 1967 Jaguar 420 Sedan for sale from Astor's fine collection!
Finished in Pastel Blue, this Jag’s paint and trim are in overall very good condition. The glass panels are clear and intact, including the split windshield. The car’s lights look great, including the Lucas Headlights and optional Lucas Fog Lights.
The Jaguar rolls on land reproduction period Firestone gum-dipped whitewall tires, sized 8.00-16, surrounding body-colored Dayton Wire Wheels. The tires and wheels are in overall good condition. The Jag’s body panels are straight solid after more than two decades in storage. The engine bay is tidy and the bumpers are look great.
Under the bonnet, this cat came with the 3.4L DOHC straight six-cylinder (original numbers matching) with SU carburetors and a dual exhaust system. Backing up the engine is a four-speed manual transmission (original numbers matching). The Jag is also loaded with some MC equipment such as body-colored Dayton Wire Wheels, Lucas Fog Lamps, windshield washers, upscale trunk fittings and dual exhaust. It also features four-wheel drum brakes. Fixed Head Coupes came with two six-volt batteries, one in each front wing.
Inside, the original dark blue interior is in good overall condition. The dark blue Connolly Leather seats look great. The matching Wilton Wool carpet is in good shape, as is the instrument panel with its burled wood insert for added warmth. While the dash offers complete instrumentation, the fuel gauge is inoperable. The original four-spoke steering wheel is present, the mirror glass and shifter look good while the center console and map pockets are in very good order. Completing the interior is the optional and very cool tube powered Radiomobile S. Smith & Sons radio that actually works!
In 1954, the Jaguar XK140 replaced the XK120. The XK140 brought with it many improvements and upgrades. Compared to its predecessor, the XK140 received a larger engine, rack-and-pinion steering and more interior space. The fixed head coupe and the drophead coupe were given the occasional jump seats, made possible by moving the engine forward three inches. The cowl was raised two inches, as was the steering wheel, which allowed for more comfort and headroom inside. The XK140 came equipped with heavier bumpers, which were now connected to the chassis. In the front, the cast-aluminum grille had fewer bars, which improved cooling. Buyers had the option of purchasing twin fog lights as optional equipment, and the hood and trunk were given chrome strips and medallions, in celebration of previous Le Mans victories.
The Burman steering of the outgoing XK120 was replaced with a rack-and-pinion system and the roll bars were increased in diameter, making the XK140 stiffer in the corners. Production continued through 1957, when it was replaced by the XK150.
Documentation includes original operator/maintenance/service guide.
Competition to this Jaguar in 1957 included the Aston Martin DB D Mk III, Chevrolet’s Corvette and Ford’s Thunderbird.
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 45,992 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
VIN: A815841
Body#: J6649
EIN: G9077-8
TIN: JL36190CR
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