1955 Jaguar XK 140

£ 89 995

The Gentleman’s Rebel

There’s a certain romance in the curves of a 1955 Jaguar XK140 SE Drophead Coupe. It’s not just a car — it’s a statement, a rolling sculpture from an era where speed and elegance danced together on winding European roads.

This was the Jaguar that followed in the tire tracks of Le Mans victories, yet it didn’t scream for attention. It whispered it, with a knowing glance, a deep growl from its 3.4-liter inline-six engine, and the confident glint of its chrome wire wheels. The XK140 SE — “Special Equipment” — wasn’t just about aesthetics. It packed the punch of performance upgrades derived directly from the racetrack. With a C-Type cylinder head and dual exhausts, it turned backroad drives into symphonies of torque and grace.

But the real charm of the Drophead Coupe wasn’t just in the numbers — it was in the experience. A supple folding top, elegant walnut veneer dash, and Connolly leather seats cocooned driver and passenger in timeless British luxury. It was a car meant not just to be seen, but to be felt — the growl underfoot, the wind over the windshield, and the knowing nods from fellow connoisseurs.

This particular 1955 Jaguar XK140 SE DHC has lived a life of refinement. Painstakingly restored to honor its heritage, it wears its original Old English white like a tailored Savile Row suit — sharp, iconic, and effortlessly cool. The leather is rich, the wood is warm, and the engine still purrs with the confidence of a legend.

This particular XK140 SE was first delivered by renowned importer Max Hoffman in the USA on June 18th, 1955 and comes equipped with a host of highly sought-after factory extras, including the C-Type Cylinder head, twin exhaust system, wire wheels with centre wheel locks and twin fog lights — all hallmark features of the Special Equipment (SE) specification.

Chief among these was the adoption of rack and pinion steering. Though, the fitment of telescopic shock absorbers (in place of the XK120's antiquated lever arm dampers) also had a noticeably beneficial effect on handling / roadholding. With its engine and bulkhead repositioned three inches further forward, the new model enjoyed a notably roomier cabin the fixed and drophead coupe variants gaining occasional rear seats as a result).

Available in 'standard', 'special equipment' or 'special equipment plus C-type cylinder head' guises, power and torque outputs ranged from 190bhp / 210Ibft to 210bhp / 213/bft. Distinguished by its one-piece bumpers and simpler, more imposing radiator grille, the K140 was among the tastest cars of its generation. Reputedly capable of over 130mph, it focused public consciousness on Jaguar's continued success at Le Mans (the Coventry marque winning the endurance classic in 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1957).

According to its accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this particular example - chassis S817502 - was factory finished in Cream with Red leather upholstery and a Black hood. A Special Equipment model, its original specification also comprised a C-Type cylinder head, twin exhaust system, wire wheels with centre-lock fixing and twin fog lamps. Dispatched to Max Hoffman's famous New York dealership on 18th June 1955, the Jaguar is known to have belonged to Florence Caruso, Richard Reitter and Herbert Simms amongst others whilst Stateside. Repatriated as a stalled project during 1988, the K140 was first UK registered as 'TSK 491' on May 1st 1992 to Anthony Jackson of Henley-in-Arden by which time it had been extensively restored including a conversion from left- to right-hand drive. Briefly belonging to Stephen Murphy of Wolverton, the Drophead Coupe was acquired by its previous keeper William Brown of Colton on October 13th 1994 for £34,500.

Forming part of the JDHT's 'Hall of Fame' display at the Top Gear Classic & Sportscar Show on May 6th-8th 1995 which saw eighty-two cars corralled to celebrate sixty years of the Jaguar marque, chassis S817502 went on to win various Jaguar Drivers' Club Concours d'Elegance awards (including two 1st places). A keen enthusiast whose garage also housed an Aston Martin DB5 and Big Healey, Mr Brown entrusted the K140 to Phil Kennedy of Renascence Classic Cars for a cosmetic refresh in 1997 (photos on file). The following two years saw the Drophead Coupe uprated by renowned marque specialist Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth with a view to enhancing its drivability, reliability and driving dynamics. As well as having its 3.4 litre engine attended to (re-ground crankshaft, new shell bearings, unleaded fuel cylinder head conversion), the Jaguar gained a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox and diaphragm clutch, Cambridge Motor Sport hi-torque starter motor, electronic ignition, alternator and negative earth conversion, more modern spin-on oil filter, higher capacity radiator, expansion tank, electric cooling fan, electric fuel pump, Moto Lita steering wheel, glovebox concealed Brantz trip meter and custom-built bucket seats (originals retained with the car.

In total Mr Brown spent over £45,000 improving and fettling the XK140 between 1994 and 2006 when it entered the current ownership. Thoroughly enjoyed by the vendor over the last eleven years, the Drophead Coupe is said to have proved very reliable consuming no more than a pint of oil during a tour through England, Scotland and Wales during 2016. Riding on 54-spoke wire wheels and benefiting from a recent smartening of its bodywork and paintwork, this much-loved Jaguar is offered for sale with a very large and detailed history file plus a spare set of body-coloured wire wheels.