Boldly representing the jungle predator sharing its name, this 1955 Jaguar XK 140 SE looks ready to pounce at any moment. The Saint Simons Island, Georgia classic comes “as is” in presumably non-operational condition at present, however, and needs a complete restoration as reported by the seller and evidenced by photographs here at BarnFinds Classified. Listed with no asking price, the parallel listing here on eBay asks $38,000 USD for the privilege of undertaking an overhaul or perhaps a sympathetic restoration. The Make Offer button invites would-be suitors to tempt the seller with a reasonable alternative price.
Documented as originally Suede Green inside and out, the body shows light blue over what might be silver paint. A four speed transmission with factory electric overdrive puts this Brit one or two notches up on most American cars of the day counting forward gears. American soldiers stationed in England returned with a love of lightweight British sports cars that opened doors to the diminutive roadsters back in “The Colonies.” While this Jaguar is hardly tiny, it wouldn’t fare well crashing into the average family car of Eisenhower’s USA.
While Wikipedia and Revivaler describe North American versions of the British “SE” as designation “MC,” both feature the more sporting “C” cylinder head and additional power, 230 bhp up from 190 in the standard 140. The 120 MPH top speed was no joke, and XK owners likely boasted the only neighborhood ride with double overhead cams.
The gorgeous lines continue rearward. Wire wheels with knock-offs and white walls add elegance to the sporty Jag. Lash your extra bags to the luggage rack for tours of the countryside with your favorite companion. Large bumperettes help protect the delicate bodywork when Aunt Edna parallel parks her frigate class Buick fore or aft at the jewelry store.
While the cockpit instruments occupy what looks like a board from junior high wood shop, the full instrumentation and counter-clockwise tachometer offer more telemetry than some modern cars. My big BMW only reports coolant temperature if you engage a “secret menu” every time you start the car. Properly restored in Suede Green, the dash fully suits the upscale nature of this svelte ragtop. As with many Goober State classics, this Jaguar comes with registration and no title. Would you fully restore this classic or get it running and safe while preserving its historic originality?
Based on more experience than I really wanted I say you are looking at a salt water flood car. Past that, someone is going to want this car really bad to buy it in the condition it’s in now.
Based on my experience you sound like you never so a salt water car in your life . Or you just might be the person who made me several unrealistic offers.
The 4 feet of salt water in our house and garage with our Mini Cooper in it gave me all the experience I need. You can also believe I wouldn’t make any offers on this car.
I guess not if it was a salt water flood car like yours expertise pretend, the box frame will be rusted inside out .it’s sad you can’t tell the difference between a 68 years old car which simply need full restoration after being neglected for years . And randomly give your opinion just to pretend to be an expert. Of course you wouldn’t make any offers on a car like this it does take knowledge to restore those cars correctly. I’m willing to give you my address and you can come and show me what makes it a salt water car( or flood car) , and if it is I will pay you expenses. After working on European car sport cars for 47 years, I’m always happy to learn new knowledge.
Ouch. I think some salt water got past one seal.
In one photo, is that red car in the background a Lamborghini 350GT? Somehow I don’t think one is going to get “a bargain” from this obviously knowledgeable seller.
I was thinking it was a Maserati and the one on the lift is maybe a Lancia. There also appears to be another Jag XK120 in better condition than the instance car. Another picture seems to have the background cars whited out.
The first photo is driving me nuts. What has been “whited” out? Curious minds want to know.
OMG that’s is the make and model of the first I ever owned. I had worked summers on several farms to get the money for my first car. I was 16. My dad said if my grandfather (a mechanic) said it was safe I could buy it. It was the summer of 1964 when I bought it of course used. I loved driving that car to high school and skiing in the local area. I’m in my 70s now and would love to own one again. Good luck to who ever buys It.
This xk140 is in incredibly bad condition, even though it retains most of its original hardware. Pictures on ebay show door skins totally separated at bottoms, door sills ( likely disintegrated) hidden behind amateurish sheet metal that is screwed on top, seat frames that look like pure rust, and headlight pods separating from the fenders. No underside pics but that gaping hole in the spare tyre well in the boot says it all. Not sure it can be saved. Certainly not at the asking price.
Hope someone can make a realistic deal.
I don’t know anything about old Jaguars but, personally, I wouldn’t offer more than $3000.00 for this. At that price, it might be worth restoring.
In either 1979 or 1980 I had the opportunity to buy an XK-140 Drophead SE just like this one. It ran–but only barely–and also needed a complete restoration despite being slightly better than this one. The seller was willing to sell for $4.300 Canadian…the lowest he would go. While tempted and had brought along with me a few hundred so as to possibly make a deal/leave a deposit, I decided that the car was going to take too much money and too long to restore. I feel the same about this one but even more strongly.
Hey Bob you are a bit hard on this one at least the headlights are OK .
You might be right on that but l already have headlights for that car.
With a car like this, it does not matter really how much you pay for it. Because at the end it will be only like maybe 10% max (probably much less) of how much money is needed to restore it to factory condition.
Non-operational condition & ancient JagUar in the same sentence, never heard that before. The smell of the leather & will carpets in well-kept original condition would make a Maserati owner swoon.
It’s an iconic car. A cousin of my mom’s had an XK-150 in the 1960’s. In my opinion, the XK’s are one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Restoring this one will be quite an undertaking, but I hope someone can.
The values of them continue to rise.