190 bhp, 3,442 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, torsion bar independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102"

• Matching-numbers XK140M

• Originally delivered to France

• 300 miles since restoration

For 1955, Jaguar redesigned the chassis of its road-going XK sports car 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, such as the grille given fewer, more widely spaced bars and full-width bumpers. Flashing directional signals were located in the front fenders, just above the bumper.

Moving the engine forward about three inches allowed a roomier cockpit but required relocating the battery compartment into the front fender. The car was re-designated XK140, and two variants were added, the XK140M, which included wire wheels, dual exhaust, twin fog lamps and windshield washers, and the XK140MC, which added the big-valve cylinder head from the C-Type. The three body styles continued in production through mid-1957, each available in any of the three variants.

This left-hand drive XK140M was completed on July 21, 1955 and delivered to Delacroix, the Paris distributor, on August 15. It was then sold to Second Lieutenant G. McKelvey, then stationed at St. Mihiel in eastern France. It has been faithfully restored to concours specification and is accompanied by a Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust certificate attesting to its matching numbers.

The recipient of a frame-off restoration, it comes complete with a full set of tools, original jack, knock-off hammer and the aforementioned features of the “M” package. The underside is as nice as the top and features stainless steel dual exhaust, re-porcelained manifolds and SU H6 carburetors rebuilt by expert Joe Curto of Queens, New York. It has covered but 300 miles since restoration and has been continually stored under climate-controlled conditions.