Jaguar XK140 DHC RHD 1955 – For Sale

This may well be the finest Jaguar XK140 on the market today. An original UK right-hand drive Drophead Coupé, this XK140 was fully restored by us at Twyford Moors nearly ten years ago. It is finished in its original and highly sought-after colour scheme of Maroon with a Biscuit interior and Sand hood. Remarkably, it retains both its original engine and registration number. 

The car was built in February 1955 and dispatched to the Bradford-based dealer Albert Farnell. The first registered owner was Whitaker & Co., a family-run joinery business based in Denholme near Bradford. The company was operated by three brothers—Harry, Jack, and Fred—alongside their father, Esau Whitaker. During the Second World War, Harry and Jack managed the factory, producing timber goods such as sentry boxes and ammunition crates for the war effort, while Fred served with the 8th Army in Italy and Africa. After the war, Fred returned to the family business. He remained single, unlike his married brothers, and in 1955 he purchased this XK140 new, keeping it for several years before upgrading to an XK150. This fascinating history comes directly from Fred Whitaker’s great-nephew, whose email is included in the car’s history file. There is also a period photograph of Fred with the car at a polo match, believed to have been taken near Windsor in the late 1950s.

According to the buff logbook, by 1966 the car had found its way to Cambridge, where it was owned by Albert Manning. It was later registered to a Jack Manning (possibly Albert’s brother) in Wantage near Oxford. At some point in the following years, the car was painted red and left parked in a garage near Oxford, where it remained in a state of disrepair until Twyford Moors became involved in 2013.
I vividly recall collecting this Jaguar XK140 from an unassuming lock-up in a rather down-at-heel part of Oxford. The car had clearly been stored for decades, with various items piled on and around it—including a fibreglass Mini front end. A few of these photos have been included for interest. Ian and I (Harry) personally inspected and recovered the car from the garage, and we were astounded to find it so complete and original, in generally good condition. Although it looked tired, it had remained dry, and everything was present.

In early 2014, we commenced a full nut-and-bolt restoration for the current owner. This included removing the body from the chassis, stripping both back to bare metal, and carrying out comprehensive repairs. No detail was overlooked, and the exceptional quality of this XK140 is still evident today. It was tastefully upgraded during the restoration for enhanced usability. These upgrades include a five-speed gearbox, front disc brakes, uprated suspension, and electric power steering. The interior benefits from inertia-reel seatbelts and a discreetly installed modern radio system.

Today, the car remains in outstanding condition. The panel fit is first-rate, the paintwork is superb, and the chrome is exceptional. The interior and hood are also in excellent order. This car is a true head-turner and would likely win awards at most classic car shows. Yet it is not only beautifully presented—it is also a joy to drive, reliable, and practical. The carefully considered upgrades make it a truly usable classic. The combination of a five-speed gearbox, electronic ignition, electric cooling fan, disc brakes, and other enhancements ensures that this is a relaxed and capable touring car. When driven more enthusiastically, it does not disappoint—the fast-road engine is eager and torquey, the gearbox has a mechanical, engaging feel, and the responsive brakes inspire real confidence. The upgraded suspension delivers direct and composed handling without compromising comfort.

It is rare for one of our full restorations to come onto the market, and rarer still for it to be a UK-supplied car with its original engine and finished in its original colour scheme. Add in the tasteful upgrades, and this car is truly the complete package. An exceptional opportunity not to be missed.

£135,000