Introduced in 1954, the Jaguar XK140 built upon the success of the XK120 with several refinements. The main engineering changes included moving the engine three inches forward and adopting rack-and-pinion steering from the racing C-Type. Suspension and brakes saw minor updates, with stiffer torsion bars in the front and telescopic shock absorbers in the rear. The XK140 came in three models: roadster, coupé, and drophead coupé, with the latter two providing more cabin space and occasional rear seats. It featured a redesigned radiator grille, rear lights with indicators, and larger bumpers for urban parking durability.
Under the hood, the XK140 retained Jaguar’s trusted 3.4-liter, twin-cam six-cylinder engine, now producing 190bhp with higher-lift camshafts and revised porting. Steel bearing caps replaced cast iron for enhanced reliability. A close-ratio gearbox improved performance utilization, and Laycock de Normanville overdrive became an optional feature. Special Equipment XK140s included wire wheels, Lucas fog lamps, and the option for a 210bhp engine with the C-Type cylinder head. The XK140 continued the tradition of exceptional performance, with top speeds regularly exceeding 120mph in contemporary magazine road tests.
Source: Bonhams
