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Barn Cat: 1957 Jaguar XK140

Details are scarce on what is believed to be a 1957 Jaguar XK140 that has been parked in a barn with several other British classics more than 33 years ago. The seller doesn’t provide many details other than an asking price, but it looks reasonably complete despite the lack of information (or model designation – this is a total guess on my part that it’s a 140.) The panels look reasonably straight and the engine looks very complete under the hood. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $58,000 and located in Mason, Michigan.

Now, it’s hard to get a good sense of anything when you’re looking at a car like this on the other side of the country. I’m sure there’s a good chance the floors are rotten, especially since it’s dusted with snow here and Michigan isn’t exactly easy on vintage metal. But you do have all body panels accounted for, and glass looks good too. The original wire wheels remain attached, along with what I believe are the remnants of the soft top. I was quickly distracted from this angle by the MGB with the rare factory hardtop!

The steering wheel has gone missing, but this shot of the front bumper is what clued me in to this being a later XK140 (and not the XK120 with its slimmer bumpers.) I’m sure there are some other visual clues, but I’m just not aware of them. The interior looks pretty decent, especially for a convertible that’s been stored with its top down. The solitary glimpse of the passenger seat shows what looks like a bucket that isn’t completely destroyed, but who knows for sure – the storage arrangement isn’t great. The steering wheel has been removed, but the dash looks otherwise complete.

Under hood is probably the best news of all, as the engine looks largely undisturbed and surprisingly clean for its years of storage. If anything, I would take some comfort from the cars and projects that surround the Jaguar, as it would seemingly indicate that this is a barn belonging to an enthusiast. That’s not to say the XK drophead wasn’t poorly stored for a mess when it began its slumber, but all I’m seeing is a sports car that the owner never had a chance to finish. Hopefully, the next caretaker will.

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    I missed the part where this is worth 58K.

    Like 20
    • Avatar Al

      It’s the patina that’s for sale. Just take it off (the patina) and throw away the rest.

      Like 7
  2. Avatar Allegro37

    Absurd.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar Hoos Member

    It looks like the entire steering column is missing.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Horse Radish

      Now you know why it’s been sitting.
      It will fire up and drive away.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Chas H

    This is an open two seat (roadster) not a “drophead”, which is a roll up window convertible. It also has a “type C” cam cover, which could mean it’s a special equipment car. The “Replica” dash plaque is another clue this is an SE car.
    I dunno about $58K, but the car isn’t rusted out and appears complete except for the steering, which might be elsewhere in the barn.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Amazing the old decrepit garage these cars are in, The jag is a cool 2 seater, but with the usual crappy pics how could you tell if you are interested? I’m no jag expert but 58 large seems a lot for this, you cant tell if its rotten or even sitting on a dirt floor. Good luck to the new owner!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 4
  6. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    All over the country, there are old barns which fall down from age and a lack of preventative maintenance. Every time I roll by one, I wonder what may have been inside when it came crashing down.

    The one from this site which has stuck in my memory:

    https://barnfinds.com/barn-collapse-collection-for-sale/

    When the wood structure gets weak enough, and the winds blows a bit, gravity takes over. Based on the snow seen on the flanks of the Jag in one photo, there is little protection from the elements anymore in this “barn”. At least the seller seems to understand that the car can’t sit there forever, and it may escape falling timbers as a result.

    I can’t take on this kind of project, but I hope someone will, perhaps at a lower buy-in. I hope the others seen in the background make it out too.

    Boy. I just looked at the FB listing… Really crappy photos, how about having someone get out of the way instead of capturing the back of a head?

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Angel Cadillac Diva Member

    @Little_cars……
    Did you see the TWO gold colored MG Midgets on either side of this Jag? I wonder how much he’d want for them?
    Sooner or later, I’m going to replace my ’72 and go back to my college days.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Little_Cars

      Yes I did! Just now. That hardtop is worth a cool $500 or more just by itself. One appears to be a rubber bumper 1500 in one of the better colors – Citron.

      Like 1
  8. Avatar H5mind

    I had a 1958 MGA from California. 100% rust-free and it was still a costly project. I can’t imagine how tall the stack of $1,000’s this Jag would devour before it was a car again.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar charlie Member

    Almost bought this model back in ’66, ran well, but was the loosest, most flexible, creakiest, car I have ever driven, and that includes a ’39 MG with wooden framing above the chassis, and a ’40’s Ford woody wagon when it was about a dozen years old, with lots of use. It was so loose it was scary.

    Like 1
    • Avatar tompdx

      @charlie – I have never driven a 140, but the XK150 OTS I owned was rock solid. I hope the 140 you drove was wrecked once … or twice!

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Tom Bell

    I believe the XK140 had larger and fewer grille “teeth” than the XK120. This one would seem to have that feature–yes,a 140.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Jaker76

    Lack of info, lack of any attempt to provide decent pictures, no steering column and 2 pictures of the under bonnet complete with the back of someones head!!!! $58,000 wonder what they been smoking to think this type of ad would bring that kind of money???? May be a good restoration candidate but at least provide info and quality pictures!! No way this is going to bring that kind of money even if it has a C type head. Unbelievable what some folks find acceptable on trying to sell what could be a desirable Jaguar!

    Like 1
  12. Avatar SHAWN MILLER

    this guy is dreaming on this price. another one of these people who have no clue what it costs to restore a car, and want to be rewarded for letting a car go to hell instead of properly storing and protecting it from the elements

    Like 1
  13. Avatar charlie Member

    I bought a seven year old XK 150S fixed head, instead, for $300 and it was rock solid. I attributed it to the much more solid body with a steel roof, but maybe the 140 had seen some bad times. The asking price on the 140 was $350 and it was right hand drive, but it was fast and the engines, on both, were sweet. Does anyone ever just open the hood and listen to the engine before they buy a used car anymore?

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Allen Member

    If memory serves (and very occasionally it still does) the XK150 had a wider grill. Maybe wider everything. I much prefer the 120-look.
    FWIW

    Like 0
  15. Avatar charlie Member

    Comparing them, the 120 was lean, the 150 fat, and the 140 in between. The 120 and 140 had split 2 piece windshields, the 150 a one piece curved, and in coupe versions a “back seat” big enough for a watermelon. They got more powerful with each version, and within the 150 series anyway, as well as gaining more creature comforts, like a padded dash board, and no more real wood trim. The 140 I almost bought had a lot of wood interior trim, the 150 I did buy was all vinyl, not nearly as attractive, but probably better for me in the days of no shoulder belts, let alone air bags.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar stillrunners

    Is that snow on the trunk ?

    Like 1
    • Avatar chrlsful

      yes, not much of a fraction better than out doors (totally).
      Sad.
      When U encounter ppl like this it takes a very long time to buy. A buncha visits. Real dedication, some skill. Education, friendly manners, etc…

      Like 1
  17. Avatar Clive Roberts

    I bought an XK 150 when I was living in London in 1967. I was a beauty to drive but it already had considerable rust in some strange out-of-the-way places. The bodywork on this one is going to be a massive job but panels are available (at a price).

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Dennis M

    Way, way over priced. The ad says it’s an automatic trans, but the data plate shows a close ratio trans, which is good if it hasn’t been bodged. Can’t quite read the serial number. It’s definitely an XK140 with that trim on the boot lid. Chas H is right, it’s an OTS with side curtains.The snow on the car means there is water in that barn, hate to think about what the underside might look like!

    Like 0

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