Beschreibung:

‘For 1955, Jaguar present a range of models incorporating not only added refinements, but mechanical advances directly derived from their many outstanding successes in international competitive events. All the wealth of experience gained on the race-tracks of the world and in record-breaking speed and endurance tests is built into every Jaguar to provide for discriminating motorists the highest degree of efficient performance allied to comfort and safety.’ - Jaguar Cars Ltd. Launched in 1954, the Jaguar XK140 was broadly similar to, though more refined than, its sensational XK120 predecessor, major engineering changes being confined to the repositioning of the engine 3” further forward and the adoption of rack-and-pinion steering as used on the racing C-Type. The suspension and brakes remained much as before, though with stiffer torsion bars at the front and telescopic shock absorbers replacing the previous lever type at the rear. Like its forbear, the XK140 was offered with three body types: roadster, coupé and drophead coupé, the latter two offering usefully increased cabin space and occasional rear seats. Outwardly the newcomer was distinguishable by its revised radiator grille, chrome bonnet strip, rear lights incorporating flashing indicators, and better bumpers - the latter to withstand the cut and thrust of urban parking. The power unit remained Jaguar’s well-tried, 3.4-litre, twin-cam six, which now produced 190bhp in standard trim thanks to higher-lift camshafts and revised porting. To ensure reliability, steel bearing caps replaced the previous cast-iron type. A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased performance, and Laycock-de Normanville overdrive became an option for the first time. Special Equipment XK140s came with wire wheels and Lucas fog lamps, and could be ordered with an engine developing 210bhp courtesy of the ‘C’-type cylinder head. XK140 performance was well up to the standards set by its exemplary predecessor, contemporary magazine road-tests regularly recording top speed figures in excess of 120mph. Tested by Road & Track magazine, a USA-specification XK140MC (as the ‘C’-type ’head-equipped SE version was known there) recorded a 0-60mph time of 8.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 121.1mph. A Special Equipment model fitted with the ‘C’-type cylinder head, this left-hand drive XK140 Coupé was delivered new via Jaguar’s East Coast USA distributor, Max Hoffman to Dr Charles Vallender in Massachusetts on 3rd October 1955 and kept by him until circa 1990. The car was then sold to Germany and restored from the ‘ground upwards’ in its striking original colour scheme by Idar-Oberstein of Herborn before being acquired by the current vendor in 2005 (see restoration bills and photographic record on file). Mille Miglia eligible, this top-of-the-line XK140SE is presented in believed excellent condition and offered with the aforementioned restoration records, old German registration papers, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, instruction manual and Swiss Carte Grise. Version "Special Equipment" équipée de la culasse type "C", ce coupé XK 140 conduite à gauche a été livré neuf le 3 octobre 1955 par l'intermédiaire de Max Hoffman, le distributeur Jaguar sur la Côte Est des Etats-Unis, au Dr Charles Vallender, dans le Massachusetts. Il l'a conservée jusqu'en 1990 environ. La voiture a été ensuite vendue en Allemagne et a bénéficié d'une restauration totale, avec peinture dans sa saisissante combinaison de couleurs originale, par Idar-Oberstein, de Herborn. Elle est ensuite passée entre les mains de son propriétaire actuel, en 2005 (voir dans le dossier les factures et photos de la restauration). Eligible aux Mille Milles, cette XK 140 SE de haut niveau se présente en excellent état. Elle est accompagnée des documents mentionnés plus haut, des anciens papiers d'immatriculation allemands, du certificat de registre de production émanant du Jaguar-Daimler Herit