1955 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS: Extremely Original, Documented, Rare, Numbers Matching

Offered for sale is a gorgeous, xceptionally original, ntirely matching numbers, echanically strong, eavily documented, lack plate 1955 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS (Open Two Seater), wned for 49 years by one doting Southern California owner. Verified by its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, he car is finished in factory correct Black over factory correct Biscuit interior with Tan Piping, rguably the most appealing livery ever offered on an XK. Always driven sparingly and properly maintained and garaged, he car is believed to have traveled a mere 55k original miles in its 60+ years of service, videnced by its entirely honest, xtremely original, true survivor” condition.

1955 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS

• Chassis Number……………………..S810515
• Engine Number……………………...G1786-8S
• Head Number………………………..G1786-8S
• Body Number………………………..F10525
• Gearbox Number…………………….OSL2773B

The “S” prefix in the car’s chassis number confirms that it was equipped when new with the top of the line “MC” designation, omprised of the special equipment package including a camshaft vibration damper, ire spoke wheels, ual exhaust pipes and Lucas fog lamps. The “S” suffix to the engine’s serial number denotes the car’s uprated 3.4L engine with high compression C-Type head. Each of these numbers is confirmed on each corresponding component, s well as the car’s data plate and Heritage Certificate.

The car’s history is extraordinarily well documented, etailing a nearly 50-year single owner Southern California provenance. On February 23rd, 955 Mrs. Cara E. Butte of Pacific Palisades, A made the short drive in her 1953 Jaguar XK120 down PCH to the Brentwood Motor Co. at 2610 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, A. She was there to trade in her XK120 for a brand new, .S. delivery 1955 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS. The original purchase order shows that Brentwood Motor Co. sold her the XK140 for $3,745, alued her trade in at $2,100, harged her $130 for a dealer-installed radio, 150 for chrome wire wheels and “threw in” two fender mirrors. Including tax, icense and other miscellaneous charges, he “out-the-door” price was $4,324.80. Mrs. Butte would own the car for the ensuing 49 years, riving it sparingly for the vast majority of them and always keeping it properly maintained and garaged in her Pacific Palisades garage. In fact, ublic records show that she still lives there today.

Having realized that it was getting less and less use as the years went by, n 2004 she made the difficult decision to sell the car through a broker to a collector in Loudon, N. As “preservation class” vintage cars hadn’t yet been given the credence that they’ve come to enjoy, oth in terms of recognition and valuation, he second owner made the choice to cosmetically refurbished the car, efinishing it in its factory correct black paint and having the interior reupholstered in factory correct biscuit with tan piping. He too would use the car sparingly over his 8 years of ownership, ntil it was sold in 2012 to its third and most recent owner, nother collector in upstate New York. Upon receiving the car, e had it scored at a Jaguar Club of North America official event, he results of which were a net score of 92.16.

He subsequently sent the car to Donovan Motorcar Service of Lenox, A where he commissioned a comprehensive mechanical sorting. A well-regarded marque specialist, onovan’s work included (but was not limited to) new brake shoes, hoke adjustment, ew upper and lower ball joints, ew tie rod end boots, ew head gasket, nstallation of a new Ron Davis aluminum radiator, lutch linkage repair, achometer cable replacement, ifferential pinion seal replacement, ew water pump, ew cam cover and breather gaskets, ew harmonic balancer, ew brake master cylinder, ebuilt carburetors, ew thermostat and thermostat housing, rankshaft damper, xhaust flange and manifold gaskets, tc. etc. This work totaled more that $13,500 in 2013 and 2014, nd the car has been driven less than 1,000 miles since. The car also received a set of new Dayton chrome wire wheels with new Vredestein tires, owever the original wire wheels are also included in the sale, s is the fully functioning original radiator.

It should come as no surprise then that the car is in fantastic shape mechanically. The original, umbers matching, prated, :1 compression 210 bhp, .4L XK engine with its original C-Type head starts effortlessly, dles smoothly and consistently and pulls with grin-inducing force through each of the original transmission’s gears, ugmented by the spectacular roar emitted from the dual stainless steel exhaust. The car drives and brakes straight and true, he suspension is tight and the car is a joy to drive, hether tooling through town, inding through the canyons or bombing down the highway. While we’ve tested the original radiator and confirmed that it’s fully functional, he Ron Davis aluminum radiator no doubt aids in keeping the engine cool and despite soaring temperatures in Santa Barbara of late, he car has never shown any indication of overheating. These things considered, his lovely example would be ideal for both top-down weekend cruises to local shows and more strenuous touring events.

As the pictures show, he second owner’s freshening efforts have help up quite well and the car remains absolutely gorgeous. While having its share of minor imperfections (each too insignificant to appear in the photos), he factory correct Black finish is deep and lustrous, erfectly offset by the clean Biscuit interior with Tan piping. The glass and chrome are in excellent original condition and the car’s entirely original Sand soft-top and side curtains bear a wonderful patina while remaining wholly serviceable. The recipient of proper care and storage, he frame and undercarriage are entirely solid and original, howing no evidence of harmful rust or repairs. A condition mirrored in the trunk and engine compartment, t tells the story of a remarkably untouched, xtremely original example that has always lived a charmed life.

The car’s provenance and factory specifications are documented through the original “Automobile Order and Statement of Transaction” (showing the car’s purchase by Mrs. Butte), copy of the car’s original California “Pink Slip” title, thick stack of registration cards and service receipts throughout the car’s life and of course the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate. The car is also remarkably complete in terms of original tools and accessories, etaining its rare (and expensive to replace) complete original tool kit, ack handle, rease gun, crew jack, pare tire compartment T-key and Thor hammer. Also included are the original tonneau cover, riginal side curtains and original period Motorola radio, elieved to be the one installed by the dealer when Ms. Butte bought the car new. As mentioned previously, he car’s original knock off wire wheels and original fully functional radiator are also included in the sale and, astly, oth of the original California black license plates come with the car and are in remarkably good condition.

This is a truly uncommon opportunity to acquire an extremely original, ntirely numbers matching and correct, horoughly documented, eautifully presented Southern California 1955 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS. Considering its condition, rovenance, ocumentation and correctness, t would be incredibly difficult (if not altogether impossible) to find a similarly stellar original example. Whether in the market as a marque enthusiast or as a seasoned Jaguar collector, his rare and incredible example deserves your serious consideration.

We want this car to go to great home and would be happy to answer any questions, o please feel free to email us or call us at 805-886-1823. You can also visit us online at GoodmanReed.

Goodman Reed Motorcars

We try to give accurate descriptions of the cars we’re selling, ut we’re enthusiasts, ot experts, nd we encourage and are happy to help facilitate personal or professional inspections. But please do so before bidding, s the alternative harms our ability to make sales to other interested parties who have done their proper due diligence before bidding.

For U.S. buyers a 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 3 days of the auction’s end, he balance to be paid within 7 days of the auction’s end. Foreign buyers must pay in full within 7 business days of the auction’s end. Buyer is responsible for shipping, owever we’d be more that happy to help with recommendations and arrangements. The car is listed locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time should it sell prior to auction’s end. Thanks for your interest.