The Jaguar XK120 created a sensation at the 1948 London Motor Show. It was low and lithe, with a curvaceous envelope body, and it had a newly designed dual overhead-cam six-cylinder of 3,442 cubic centimeters. The model took its name from a May 1949 speed run by a production roadster on Belgium’s Jabbeke Highway, where it was clocked at over 120 mph. There was nothing else like it on the market.

Late in 1954, the chassis was redesigned, with larger torsion bars, better brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering. The engine was given higher-lift camshafts, which had the effect of raising horsepower to 190. There were also subtle appearance changes: the grille was given fewer bars that were more widely spaced, full-width bumpers were added, and flashing directional signals were located in the front fenders, just above the bumper.

Moving the engine forward about three inches allowed for a roomier cockpit, but this required relocating the battery compartment into the front fender. The car was re-designated XK140, and two Special Equipment variants were added, the XK140 M, which included a crankshaft dampener, wire wheels, a dual exhaust, twin fog lamps, and windshield washers, and the XK140 MC, which added the big-valve cylinder head from the C-Type Jaguar, raising horsepower to 210. The three body styles continued in production through mid-1957, with each available in any of the three variants.

This striking car, one of the earliest XK140s, was completed on November 5, 1954, and it was shipped to Max Hoffman, the New York distributor, in the middle of the month. It has been completely restored, with the work being substantially completed in 2011 but continual refinement still occurring in 2012. It has been painted Pastel Blue and has a black leather interior and black canvas top. The engine was completely rebuilt in 2011, and receipts for which are available. It includes a full top with proper new-condition side curtains, as well as all factory tools, which include the brass knock-off hammer, a spark plug spanner, and even axle oil in its original tin. Also in the trunk are a spare tire with a matching chrome wire wheel and the original jack. On the dashboard are Breitling stop watches, for recording lap times and other sporting measurements.

The car was a consistent winner on the Jaguar Club North America circuit, with post-restoration scores ranging from 97.72 to 99.52. It has earned similar honors at many regional and local multi-marque shows, with the car placing Fourth Overall in the JCNA Champions division in 2011, which is a testament to the outstanding quality of this XK140. A restoration book that covers the 2007 to 2011 period comes with the car, as well as service records and a Heritage Certificate from the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust, which attests to its production and original specification. Also included are judging sheets from its show history and a meticulous log book kept by its owner. A finer XK140 would be difficult to find.