Jaguar took a nine-year leave of absence from the sports car market, beginning in 1939 when manufacturing of the SS 100 wrapped up. The company reemerged in that field after the war was over with the introduction of its XK120, which went into production in 1948. One of the first cars manufactured ended up in the hands of Clark Gable, followed by these becoming known for being the fastest production car in the world at the time, with a speed of 133 MPH attained at Ostend in 1949. In 1954, the XK140 superseded the XK120 and featured several refinements such as upgraded shocks, rack and pinion steering, and improved brakes. If you were really fortunate, you also got the MC version that included the C-Type cylinder head, a component which by itself added another 20 horsepower. If you’re in the market for one of these rarities to restore, you’re in luck, as this 1956 Jaguar XK140MC is currently for sale here at Gullwing Motor Cars. The car is located in Astoria, New York, and comes at an asking price of $67,500.
The history of this Jaguar can be traced back to the last 57 years, as prior to the seller acquiring the car it had been under single-family ownership in California since 1965. It’s a real barn find that is said to have just recently come out of storage, and it shows a lot of what looks like barn dust which seems to back up that claim. The body is stated to have good-fitting doors and nice panel gaps, although no word on whether or not that green finish is original or if the car had a respray at some point. It’s also got knock-off wire wheels and fender-mounted mirrors, and the seller thinks this may be one of the most original examples you will run across.
Both the XK140 and XK140MC gave you the 3.4-liter dual overhead cam inline 6-cylinder engine, but the MC also added the high-performance C-Type cylinder head, the latter of which is still under the hood and mostly complete. The original motor also features twin SU carburetors, and it’s all mated to a 4-Speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, the car is not presently running and it will take a mechanical overhaul before it can be started and driven.
The no-frills interior seems to be showing some of the same barn dust as the exterior, and the car also comes with a tan soft top but nothing is specifically mentioned about its condition. There’s no word either about the chassis or any of the components underneath, but having spent so much time in California hopefully everything down below is as well-preserved as the body. The seller believes this car is an excellent candidate for restoration, and from all the things we can see I tend to agree with him. What are your thoughts on this 1956 Jaguar XK140MC and its price tag of $67,500?
Fully restored this is likely a $130K car. To get there from this point could easily cost $100K. Asking price is typical Gullwing ask at the high end. More realistic price is $40K.
Totally agree if it was running understand the asking price, but air up the tires and throw that number out is a little far fetched. Will be a wonderful car when restoration is done.
Why does gullwing never give the vehicles prior a full cleaning
as ammo new york is avail to do the job proper?
I never pay for anything not running no matter what logo is
attached on it.
Besides, Gullwing is a dealer. They should make an effort to present their overpriced hoopties a little better.
bought off Bring a trailer last week for a lot less than that, theyre just flipping it.
they paid $47,500 with fees. nice profit if they get it.
Nice write-up Mike. Great to see, and much of a change, to read your British description of the wire wheels having “knock ons” as against the usual Americans calling them “knock offs,” after all they have to be knocked on before they can be knocked off.
Knocked “off” and “on” are both better than “up”
That’s very true!!
Yes, the asking price is indeed too high. To think that in 1979 I went to see an XK-140 Drophead in running condition (although barely). The asking price was $ 4200 Canadian… I had taken $ 300 in cash to put down as a deposit. It had very little rust, but the shifting of the gears had reached the point of overdue for a rebuild, quite a bit of smoke was coming out the pipes, and it just looked very tired…so I passed. No huge regrets, because I was still living at home and going to school. I settled shortly afterwards for a pretty nice XK-150, although a Fixed-Head. That was one of the most trouble-free cars I ever owned, including basic transportation non-sports cars!
Anyone that buys from Gullwing better understand they are not getting the best end of the stick. They advertise nearly everywhere as buyers …call them they offer next to nothing for the car you are selling.
NOT A FAN OF GREEDY DEALERS!
How about those” KNOCK OFF” KNOCK ON’S… Made in CHINA!
( Knock off is a slang term for an “un-authorized “replica !)
They might even fit the splines!