From the moment of its introduction in 1948, the brilliant XK 120 established Jaguar at the very forefront of postwar sports car manufacturers, thanks to its modern yet graceful lines and impressive performance. Its original design was updated for late 1954 as the XK 140, which featured revised styling as well as a larger, more powerful engine, part of a comprehensive list of subtle improvements designed to maintain Jaguar’s appeal, especially in the all-important US market.

One of some 3,350 XK 140 Roadsters produced between late 1954 and 1957, the example offered here is identified on its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate as an original sought-after MC model, featuring a 210-horsepower engine with a C-Type-style Le Mans cylinder head, dual exhaust, and four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Built with left-hand-drive for the American market, it was shipped on 17 January 1956 to Charles Hornburg’s renowned distributorship in Los Angeles.

Charles J. Noto acquired the Jaguar from a seller in his home state of New York in 2006. While the car was intended to be a “driver,” his usual fastidious nature led to a complete restoration of the roadster at his in-house facility, with the body refinished in the period-correct hue of Carmen Red and the interior in tan leather, overseen by a black fabric top. The quality of the workmanship throughout is excellent, and as with Mr. Noto’s other “driver,” his 1953 Buick Skylark, the presentation is still immaculate and to the same standard as the other vehicles in his collection, as fewer than 200 of the 98,118 miles recorded have been traveled since restoration. Examination shows that the car retains its original body and chassis, the latter properly stamped in the expected location, as well as the original matching-numbers engine—both cylinder head and block—and gearbox.

Exciting both to admire and to drive, it is no wonder this Jaguar captured the heart of its otherwise prewar-focused owner. It would be a delight to use on Long Island, or anywhere else its new owner cares to take it.