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In classic Jaguar circles, the maroon 1955 XK 140 Fixed Head Coupe with its
beige leather interior being auctioned by Shannons in Melbourne on Monday June 7
is definitely the ‘cat’s whiskers’.
Launched at the 1954 Earls Court Motor Show, the XK140 was a more refined and
more drivable evolution of the classic XK120, featuring a more powerful 3.4
litre six cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine producing 142kW at 5500rpm,
sharper rack and pinion steering and more space for up to four occupants in the
Fixed Head Coupe variant.
Professionally-restored from the ground-up in the early 1990s at a documented
cost of over $100,000, this sleek successor to the XK120 was purchased by its
present owner for $125,000 at the Shannons Classic Vehicle Auction in Melbourne
in August 1994.
It has since been used sparingly, spending six years on display in the Pine
Ridge car museum at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, before finally
being put back on the road in November 2002.
It has now covered just 2000 miles since its restoration was completed in
1992 and remains in virtually the same condition as when it was auctioned.
The current owner admits he paid ‘over the odds’ for the car 10 years ago
because he fell in love with what he still regards as Australia’s finest XK140.
However, with the passage of time and changed market conditions he today faces a
reality check when finding a new home for his fine feline on June 7.
Shannons expect the Jaguar to sell for around $70,000.
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