1955 Jaguar XK 140 Coupé (Ghia coachwork)
- Engine
- 3.8L inline-six with triple twin-choke Weber carburettors
A 1955 Jaguar XK140 rolling chassis clothed in bespoke aluminium coupé coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, it was the first of only four such bodies built and was exhibited at the 1956 Paris Salon. Originally commissioned by Lyonnaise industrialist Hans Altweg, it later passed to Roland Urban — founder of the Jaguar Drivers Club of France — who fitted a 3.8-litre triple-Weber engine and campaigned it in historic events throughout the 1970s, including victories at Monza. Now offered requiring full restoration.
Ownership
- 2021-10-10Auction saleSold €250,000 (≈ $275K)
- 1955-12-12 →Private saleHans Altwegfull documentation
Wealthy industrialist based in Lyon who purchased the car secondhand from Royal Elysées dealer Charles Delacroix, with the intention of commissioning a bespoke body from Ghia in Turin. Bill of sale is on file.
- → 1969Acquisition unknownJean-Louis Berthelot-Mariatpartial documentation
Listed as registered owner on a French Carte Grise dated July 1969; believed to have commissioned front-end modifications to make the car more suitable for rally and hillclimb use.
- 1969 →Acquisition unknownRoland Urbanpartial documentation
Noted French Jaguar historian, founder and former president of the Jaguar Drivers Club of France. Fitted a 3.8-litre engine with triple twin-choke Webers, used the car extensively in competition throughout the 1970s, then placed it in storage from 1979 onward.
Competition
- 1956-08-01Cannes Concours d'Élégance
Mr and Mrs Altweg displayed the Ghia-bodied car; photographs on file show the front grille in a slightly different form compared to its later appearance at the Paris Salon.
- 1956-10-011956 Paris Salon
The car was exhibited at the Paris Motor Show; photographic documentation is on file.
- —Historic rallies and races (1970s)Driver: Roland UrbanMultiple victories including a win at Monza
Urban competed across numerous events during the decade; the lightweight aluminium body combined with the uprated 3.8-litre engine made the car highly competitive, with at least one victory over a Ferrari 250 TDF at Monza.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1956BodyworkCarrozzeria Ghia
Ghia constructed a bespoke aluminium coupé body for the rolling chassis, completing the work in time for the Paris Salon in October 1956.
Minor differences in the front grille between the August 1956 Cannes appearance and the October 1956 Paris Salon suggest the grille was revised by Ghia between the two events.
- 1959BodyworkCarrozzeria Ghia
Following a collision, the front end was redesigned and updated, reportedly by Ghia, with air vents added to the front wings; the bonnet air intake and original registration were retained.
Believed to have been carried out at the request of Jean-Louis Berthelot-Mariat, who wanted the car better suited to rally and hillclimb use.
- 1969Engine rebuild
Roland Urban installed a 3.8-litre Jaguar XK engine equipped with triple twin-choke Weber carburettors in place of the original unit.
A 1976 issue of XK Bulletin noted the car was also fitted with disc brakes and a 'D'-type cylinder head at this point.
- 1976Modification
The car was recorded as running disc brakes and a 'D'-type cylinder head alongside the triple Weber carburettors.
Details published on the front cover of XK Bulletin in 1976.
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