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1956 Jaguar XK140 MC Roadster Garage Find

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc

If you look closely you may be able to make out a pair of headlights peeking out from under all that junk. There is, in fact, a 1956 Jaguar XK140 MC Roadster hiding in there. It had been sitting in this Los Angeles California garage since 1964 until just recently when it was unearthed by the guys over at Beverly Hills Car Club. It is now listed on their site with an asking price of $49,500. Luckily, they took lots of photos to document the excavation.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Unearthed

Jaguar may be the most well known sports car manufacturers in Great Britain and their XK model is what really helped build that image. When the XK120 hit the streets in 1948 it put Jaguar on the map and it showed the world what a British sports car could be. The XK120 was the world’s fastest production car when it was released. The car was so successful that the company continued to develop the platform for another thirteen years, which lead to the creation of the XK140, the XK150, and eventually the E-type. The successors of the XK120 weren’t as visceral and raw as their predecessor, but they were easier to drive and just as fast.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc Front Corner

This old cat hasn’t gone anywhere fast for a long time and probably won’t for a few more years. It is going to take a lot of work to get her back on the road, but luckily she looks very complete. Although it had to be a lot of hard labor to dig her out, I bet it was all worth it when they started pulling her out into the daylight.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Saying Good Bye

Here she is saying goodbye before being loaded up on the trailer. This Jaguar had been in the same family since 1961, so it was probably a difficult farewell for the previous owner. We just hope that the buyer paid a fair sum for this dusty gem.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc Engine

As you can see, the engine that’s currently installed looks to be in amazing condition, but is missing its Type-C head. This car is a MC, which was the higher performance edition. The standard XK140’s engine was rated at 190 hp, while the MC version was rated at 210 hp. The seller includes photos of a Jaguar 3.4 straight six with the Type-C head in place, which would lead us to believe that it’s the original engine. We hope it is and that it’s not seized up, as this engine really adds a lot of value to this car and it would be great fun to have back under the hood.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc Interior

The inside of this roadster has seen better days and it is doubtful that much of the interior can be salvaged. Thankfully there isn’t much to these cars and reproduction parts are readily available. This Jaguar had to look stunning when brand new, sporting its original pearl grey paint and red leather interior.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc Front

After a good cleaning, this Jaguar actually looks amazing. It has its fair share of dents and dings, but the black paint job looks decent. We wish this car had been left in its original pearl grey color, but black looks good on any XK140. Since it looks so great, we would be tempted to just go through the mechanical stuff, install a new interior, and drive the car as is.

1956 Jaguar Xk140 Mc Rear Corner

The seller is asking $49,500 and while that’s a lot of money, it’s a bargain for a real XK140 MC Roadster. This car would be a blast to own. Now we just need to convince the guys over  at the Colorado Grand and California Mille that those flaws in the paint are just patina… Thanks to Gerry S for notifying us of this one.

Comments

  1. Avatar Editing Luke

    What an amazing find! It’s still such a gorgeous car.fandrix.com

    Like 0
  2. Avatar joe

    I just pulled a 1959 Jaguar xk150 ots out of LA last summer, it had been sitting since 1968 in a garage also. Same color combo Pearl Grey and red. No rust on the 150 though. Mine can be had a little cheaper. Great web site

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Pete

    I remember my older brother finding a white one with red interior in someones garage back around 1970 – he paid $600.00, and drove it home, after changing fluids ! The steering wheel was huge, but was perfect for non-power steering – what a treat for me, at 16 years old, to be whipping down the road in a classic like this.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      So, what happened to THAT car ?

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Mike

    I had a faded red one of these in the mid 90’s. Loved it, but sold it after the 3rd fire. The paint was worse than this, interior slightly better, and all around it was a tired looking but mechanically perfect beast. Lots of fun. Made room for 2 E Type coupes by selling it. Still regret it a bit.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar TPI

    Great Find.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Chris H.

    Stunning! Looks like the original white would not have popped as well as this combo. Finds like this certainly are inspiring, too bad funds don’t allow.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Barn Finds

    Joe, please send in some photos. Maybe we can help you find a buyer.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar joe

    Hello What email would you like me to send the photo’s to?Thanks

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Wilbur

    I would happily pull my stalled XK120MC coupe restoration out of my garage for $50K.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar tony

    nice find, shame about the interior but you can’t have it all. woulder how many more there are like this still waiting to be discovered.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar C HUDSON

    BACK IN ABOUT 73/74, MY BROTHER HAD A CANARY YELLOW MC THAT WAS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE. SOLD IT FOR ABOUT 5/6 HUNDRED DOLLARS. YEP! THAT’S RIGHT. SO HE COULD GET A HARLEY CHOPPER. ARGH!!!!!!!!! WHAT A TIME FOR ME TO NOT HAVE $600. I GREW UP AROUND A JAG FAMILY. THEY HAD A 120,150,A MARK SEDAN AND A 66 E. I WAS AROUND THOSE CARS 63-67. (AND LOOKING FORWARD TO RVN 1970.) GOOD MEMORIES. CH
    PS. THIS WAS IN SO. CAL (HAWTHORNE)

    Like 0
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      Hawthorne ?
      Look how times have changed.
      I cannot believe what happened to it in the last 30 years.
      Population has rotated completely.
      All those places were nice neighborhoods back then.
      Now, they are the ghetto….

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Tom Dudones

    My first car was a 1956 Jaguar XK140 . Bought in in March 1967 in a suburb of Chicago for $500 and it was in way better shape than the one shown here, asking almost 50 grand. I redid the interior, had it painted and a new top installed. Kept it a few years. Never needed any mechanical repair. Times sure have changed.

    Like 1

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