1955 Jaguar XK 140

Following the success of the XK120 was the XK140. Continuing with many of the same styling cues of its predecessor, Jaguar offered customers a rolling chassis that independent coachbuilders then outfitted. Building upon Giovanni Savonuzzi?s three Supersonic XK120 designs, Ghia applied the same eye-catching styling to the XK140, with this very car being the first of just four created. The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate shows that the car was manufactured on 25 January 1955 as a left-hand drive chassis without bodywork. The car was sent to Delecroix, Paris, France where it was purchased by the wealthy industrialist Hans Altweg of Lyon, France, specifically to rebody the car with custom coachwork. Bearing almost no resemblance to the original Jaguar design, the Ghia body featured a new one-piece wraparound windshield, revised side glass design, modernized single piece body design without large sweeping fenders, wide grille, and totally redesigned hood. Once Ghia completed its work, the striking aluminum body resulted in substantial 100-kilogram weight savings, compared to its original steel body. The car was ready to be shown at the 1955 Paris Motor Show in October. Following this showing, it was involved in a minor front-end accident, and the grille was reshaped before it was shown in August 1956 at the Cannes Concours d?Elegance. Noted by Anders Ditlev Clausager in Jaguar XK 140/150 in Detail, the car was involved in a minor accident in 1959 that resulted in the front-end styling being updated to its current configuration, with its large grille, dual Lucas fog lights, and additional vents being added to the front fenders. The work is believed to have been completed by Ghia at the request of Jean-Louis Berthelot-Mariat of Lyon, France with the express interest of enhancing the car?s capabilities on rallies and hill climbs. In 1969 the car was acquired by noted collector, Jaguar historian, founder, and former President of the Jaguar Drivers Club of France, Roland Urban. Under his direction, the engine was upgraded with a 3.8-liter unit equipped with triple Weber carburetors. Later improvements included a D-Type cylinder head and Dunlop disc brakes. This increase in power paired beautifully with the lightweight coachwork to make it a fierce competitor during the numerous outings it was used on, even winning a race at Monza according to prior research. After seeing regular use through 1979, the car was placed into storage, remaining there until it was purchased by the current owner in 2021. Offered as a fascinating piece of Jaguar history, this XK 140 Ghia Coupe offers a compelling opportunity for any Jaguar enthusiast to resurrect an intriguing coachbuilt Jaguar with racing pedigree.