1955 Jaguar XK140 Aluminium Roadster

S811941roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: 3.4L inline-six twin-cam, C-type cylinder head, approximately 210 bhp
Colour: Reflex silver

A 1955 Jaguar XK140 roadster, chassis S811941, originally exported to the United States in early 1956 and subsequently repatriated to the UK. The car underwent a comprehensive restoration and mechanical upgrade completed in 2020 by marque specialists Leaping Cats, including a bespoke full aluminium bodyshell built over the original steel pattern, a rebuilt 3.4-litre twin-cam engine with C-type head, conversion from left- to right-hand drive, five-speed gearbox, and four-wheel disc brakes.

Ownership

2022-04-10Auction sale
Sold £100,000 (≈ $125K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1956-01-03 →Factory delivery
Jaguar Cars New York
partial documentation
Vehicle was exported from the UK to this US dealership at the start of 1956; subsequent American ownership chain not detailed in the prose.
→ 2020Acquisition unknown
Leaping Cats Ltd
partial documentation
Marque specialist who carried out a comprehensive restoration and upgrade programme after the car returned to the UK, completing the work in 2020.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2020Restoration
Leaping Cats
Comprehensive restoration and upgrade by Leaping Cats, including fabrication of a new alloy bodyshell based on the original steel pattern, full chassis restoration, conversion from left- to right-hand drive, and a concours-standard silver repaint. Interior retrimmed in two-tone grey leather with dark blue mohair hood, tonneau, and carpets.
The rear bulkhead was reshaped, tilting bucket seats and an extended pedal box were added, and the bonnet was styled after the XK120 'NUB 120'. Wheel box and battery panels finished in black.
2020Engine rebuild
Leaping Cats
The 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine was rebuilt with new pistons, main and big-end bearings, reground crankshaft, modified rear crank seal, resized con rods, and new small-end bushes. The C-type cylinder head received new valves, guides, tappet buckets, valve seats, and camshaft bearings.
2020Modification
Leaping Cats
Multiple performance and handling upgrades fitted: power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, five-speed LT77 gearbox, Polybush suspension, high-efficiency radiator core with electric cooling fan, 2-inch SU HD8 carburettors, Pertronix electronic ignition, and a battery cut-off switch.

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