Description:

1955 Jaguar XK140SE FIA Lightweight Competition Coupé
Registration no. RAS 227
Chassis no. S815449BW

To be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Members Meeting Sale on the 7th April 2019

Estimate: £80,000 - £120,000

*Left-hand drive
*Road legal
*Prepared for racing by CKL Developments
*Current FIA HTP
*Extensively and successfully campaigned in historic motor sports

• 'The (XK140), however, did have one chance of covering itself with a little bit of glory, on the occasion of the 1956 Le Mans race. Peter Bolton and Bob Walshaw entered their standard road-going XK140 fixed-head coupé, with preparation limited to a few days' preparation at Brown's Lane to fit a D-Type head and a 36-gallon fuel tank. All the trim, including the walnut dashboard, was retained!' – Paul Skilleter, 'The Jaguar XKs.
  
  Although the works had campaigned the first of the XK sports cars – the XK120 – extensively in motor sports, by the time the XK140 came along the purpose-built D-Type sports-racer was its frontline competition car. Nevertheless, Messrs Bolton and Walshaw put in a sterling performance against a field of works prototypes, and were running in 11th place overall when they were disqualified following a minor refuelling infringement. But for that, the un-fancied XK140 would probably have finished in the top ten.
  
  Newly introduced for 1955, 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. The suspension and brakes remained much as before, though with stiffer torsion bars at the front and telescopic shock absorbers replacing lever type at the rear. Outwardly the newcomer was distinguishable by its revised radiator grille, rear lights incorporating flashing indicators, and larger bumpers. The power unit remained Jaguar's well-tried, 3.4-litre, twin-cam six, which now produced 190bhp in standard trim. A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased performance and overdrive became an option for the first time. Special Equipment (SE) cars 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 road-tests regularly recording top speed figures in excess of 120mph.
  
  One of only 1,965 left-hand drive XK140 fixed-head coupés made, this example has a body modified in the style of the Bolton/Walshaw car mentioned above. This car was exported to the USA in 1956 and brought back to the UK around 2000 to be prepared for road rallies by the then owner, Christopher Stewart. In 2007 it was bought by the current owner and prepared for racing by renowned marque specialists, CKL Developments. Its specification includes the following:
  
  Lightweight alloy bonnet, boot lid, doors, and floor/tunnel panels
  Long-range alloy fuel tank with twin fuel pumps
  Lightweight (classic-style) aircraft-specification wiring loom by TMME
  Lightweight correct-style radiator 
  Low-mileage full-race 3.4-litre engine by Classic & Modern Engines (circa 210hp)
  Low-mileage Jaguar four-speed synchromesh gearbox rebuilt at Hardy Engineering
  Low-mileage 4HA rear axle with correct limited-slip differential rebuilt at Hardy Engineering
  Correct drum brakes with competition linings
  Dual master cylinder adjustable pedal box (correct for FIA racing)
  Aeroquip brake lines
  Up-rated road springs, torsion bars, and dampers
  Alloy-rim spoked wheels (x6) plus steel-rim spoked wheels shod with period-style Dunlop tyres
  
  'RAS 227' has competed in the following events and series:
  
  2007 & 2008 XK Challenge (Class A winner both years)
  2008 Eligible for Le Mans Classic, the car ran in Plateau 2
  2009 Motor Racing Legends Woodcote Trophy (Donington, Silverstone, Algarve, Spa), Peter Auto Pau Classic, XK Challenge 
  2010 & 2011 Woodcote Trophy
  2012 AMOC 1950s series, Woodcote Trophy, Fiscar 1950s
  2013 Goodwood Revival (Fordwater Trophy), AMOC 1950s, Woodcote Trophy
  2014 Le Mans Classic
  2016 Jaguar Heritage at Le Mans Classic
  2018 Jaguar Heritage at Le Mans Classic
  
  In short: this is a well-known, competitive and reliable car, affording the prospect of access to some of the most prestigious historic motor sports events.

Please contact the Bonhams Motor Car Department for further information.

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