Beschreibung:

The Jaguar XK-140, produced from late 1954 into 1957, generally continued the beautiful styling and impressive performance of the gutsy race-bred XK-120 that preceded it—albeit with a bit more civility added into the mix. XK-140 models included a cabriolet-type Drophead Coupé (DHC), a Fixed-Head Coupe and an Open Two-Seater (OTS) roadster, as represented here. Jaguar designers moved the DOHC 3.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine forward in the XK chassis for the new model. The revised placement permitted more legroom in the cockpit, even as the previously used dashboard and seating locations were retained. For the first time, a bit of open space was also provided behind the front seat. A Special Equipment performance package was created for the XK-140 and examples so equipped, such as the Open Two-Seater here offered, were designated MC models. The MC engine featured a higher-compression "C-type" cylinder head and had a dual exhaust system. The MC further included a pair of Lucas FT576 fog lamps, which were mounted above the front bumper...a subtle tip-off to the 210hp special performance engine lurking under the bonnet. A striking example of the eminently usable XK140, chassis S 812251 DN is confirmed by its factory record document to have been built in March 1956 and delivered new through Jaguar New York to this market the following month. Its VIN and engine number combination clearly decodes the car to have been a 'Special Equipment' model, with its 'S' chassis prefix and its 'S' engine suffix confirms it to have had the 'C' Type head when new. Improving usability it also benefits from overdrive as verified by the 'DN'. Listed as having been supplied in Green with a biscuit interior, it transpired during restoration that the hue was 'Arbour Green', a rare color choice on these cars, in that it was only offered during 1956 and only on U.S. market examples. Its owner reports that apparently only 8 cars were supplied in this scheme, which when judged against how infrequently it is seen seems entirely plausible. The car was restored in previous ownership in the mid west, and has gained little age in a handful of years. It has covered under 200 miles since its reported rebuild and remains extremely clean, with only light age, most notably to the unforgiving biscuit hide. Complete with chrome wires, shod with white wall tires, this XK is sure to turn heads wherever it goes and would surely perform well at concours level.