1955 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupe

An original, right hand drive, UK market car, one of just 480 built, and very sought-after. The car is to original specification, confirmed by the heritage certificate. Fitted with factory overdrive, finished in British Racing green, with Suede green leather and black hood, and still with disc wheels and spats – a refreshing change from some chrome wired updates out there! The whole car is in lovely condition in all respects, benefitting from a great deal of restoration in the 1980s/90s and maintenance work since then amounts to at least £80,000, all documented in the history file. Work included engine overhaul, gearbox overhaul, new aluminium radiator, stainless steel exhaust system, re-wiring, attention to brakes, suspension, paintwork, etc, a new, fully lined hood, and much more besides, all done to a high standard. This file also includes a full ownership list from new, a long run of MoT certificates, the aforementioned heritage certificate, correspondence, and a buff logbook from 1960. There are one or two sensible, practical and unobtrusive modifications, such as converting the cylinder head for running on unleaded fuel, and the fitting of a battery isolator switch. The car looks almost black in some of the photos, but is in fact the correct Jaguar shade of British Racing green. A sharp, correct example in lovely condition throughout, very well maintained, and offered MoT tested until February 2026. Part exchange possibilities welcomed. 

Price £110,000.

Snippets:

A Snapshot of Life

The 1^st owner of RJJ 154 was Dr. David Alexander Gordon Kaye of ‘Elmfield’ 58 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill.  David’s grandfather, Sir Joseph Kaye 1^st Bt. was a director of several companies including Kaye & Stewart Ltd (cloth manufacturers), Gledhill Bros & Co (Woollen manufacturers), LMSR (railway) and Lloyds Bank.  David’s father Sir Henry Kaye fought in WWI with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying Corps & was wounded when he crashed his plane whilst landing.  His eldest son Stephen became the 3^rd Bt but as he had no children his brother, David inherited the title becoming the 4^th Bt.  In 1957 David and his young family (2^nd marriage) left the UK and emigrated to Sydney, Australia where his descendants still live.  By 1959 RJJ154 was with John Gamble North of Rules Lodge, Petworth.  John was the great nephew of Colonel John Thomas North (1842/96) better known as “The Nitrate King”, John’s uncle Gamble North joined Colonel North in his Chilean mining exploits.  The 3^rd owner of the XK140 was David Carmont Miller who studied Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge and graduated in 1962 with a B.A.  In 1970 John Howard Dukinfield, Emsworth took over the custodianship of the car & kept it for just a year before it was sold a David Temple of Chalkhouse Green, Reading.  Whilst owning the XK140 David became a director of the motor company Britcar Ltd (1992/97) and when the company was dissolved in 1997 he sold the Jaguar to the next long term owner Philip Parkinson of Newbury.