FIL Jaguar XK140 writeup

[AndrewO]

Nice pictures/write up of the father in laws XK140. I hope the link is allowed...

http://www.chadwicks.co.uk/articles/john-jacky-jag...

[mph]

Beautiful car

[a8hex]

Will you just cut this right out!
How am I supposed to resist when people keep posting things about XKs. I'm badly in need of an XK140 but can't seem to persuade SWMBO that I should be allowed one.

[alpha channel]

Well... what can you say other than that is one beautiful car. I can only ever dream of owning one of these without a sizeable lottery win (debatable about actually fitting in one as well, wouldn't stop me trying though). Possibly a tad biased on the colour front as my XK is the same colour (or close as I can tell on a laptop screen anyway) but it really does look exceptional in that colour.

[AndrewO]

I took John out for a spin to Snetterton the last time I was up in Norfolk....quite unusual for me to receive so much attention. It does look lovely and drives really well as a GT car but not for me..I'd rather be in a modern car.

I'm 6'4" and can drive it fine...just getting in and out is a bit of a struggle.

[BobToc]

This is glorious. My father has occasionally mentioned his love of these cars and in my slightly more fanciful moments I think about buying one for him to enjoy.

Does anyone have a view how these are to live with?

[a8hex]

BobToc said:

Does anyone have a view how these are to live with?

Robert Coucher of Octane runs a FHC as his daily driver and often writes about it in the magazine.

(OT, is it just me or has Octane switched to printing on the worse paper they could find this side of recycled new papers. The photos look awful in the recent editions)

[BobToc]

That’s super, thanks a lot for the tip.

[mph]

BobToc said:

This is glorious. My father has occasionally mentioned his love of these cars and in my slightly more fanciful moments I think about buying one for him to enjoy.

Does anyone have a view how these are to live with?

A well maintained XK140 is perfectly useable on a regular basis. Decent examples have become rather expensive though.

If you're so inclined, a few sensible upgrades/modifications can make them even easier to live with.

[a8hex]

I used to run an XK150 FHC. It had no problems at all living with modern traffic conditions (well apart from all this modern rubbish getting in the way). The XK engine is wonderfully flexible and has plenty of power. The 150 had all round disk brakes, a lot of XK140s have had the front drums replaced with disks, but talking to people who race XKs they say there are brake linings available now which happily handle the performance of the cars. My car had the original door rubbers which were very perished so it leaked and various bits of the inside would get wet in the rain, I was told this was relatively easy to fix. The original heater arrangement for an early 150 was the same as that for the 140, so the heater control is under the bonnet and you just have a hinged vent plate and fan control in the car. I used mine in winter a number of times and the car was warm enough. My classic insurance cover included using her for work and on a few occasions when my more modern car was unavailable I commuted quite happily in the 150.

[Keep it stiff]

This thread jogged my memory about the XK that was saved from banger racing and was in the process of being restored. I think this goes back to or three years, can anyone give an update on that one?

[TR4man]

a8hex said:

(OT, is it just me or has Octane switched to printing on the worse paper they could find this side of recycled new papers. The photos look awful in the recent editions)

Yes. Apart from the poor paper quality, I sometimes think they struggle for appropriate content too. Used to subscribe, but now only buy it if there is something interesting in it to read (which isn't every month).

[TR4man]

What a lovely article.

I think that the bonnet louvres apart from having a practical purpose really suit the car.

[Perseverant]

I've had my XK120 for about 12 years now. I retired a few years ago (4) but I used to use it regularly in decent weather to go to work in - I was a teacher and the car caused a sensation for the kids, especially the little ones at the primary schools I covered in my work as a support teacher. It's been uprated to discs on the front and a 5 speed gearbox. I'd say it is fairly practical to use regularly though since it's an OTS with no side screens that depends on taste and endurance! Maintenance isn't bad and oil changes are slightly less messy with a modern filter. Pretty much all the bits are easy to get and there are several excellent specialists who, so I've found, are happy to give advice - unlike the idiot who "knew better than me" and cut the prop shaft too short when I changed the gearbox! That would be another story though ....... good luck with your cars everyone!

[AndrewO]

unfortunately...its off to auction at Duxford next month. John's wheel chair bound so getting in and out of the XK doesn't really work. Sad to see it go but I think it will just deteriorate sat in the garage.

Not sure if October is the best time to be selling a soft top, if it doesn't hit the reserve we'll have to wait.

Looking at the catalog....the feature car is a nice Bentley 4.5 reg GU 1927....pic below

https://online.handh.co.uk/images/lot/1770/17708_0...

Edited by AndrewO on Wednesday 5th September 14:05

[a8hex]

Sad to here it's going. I had a quick look at the sale's webpage and the only XK I could see was a 150DHC. Do you have a lot number?
I'm still mourning having sold my XK.

[AndrewO]

It's not in just yet....just putting the summary together...22yrs owned !

[lowdrag]

I've just written up a brief history of my E-type (2,500 words) in which I have travelled over 100,000 miles and 22 countries. It would take a book to write the lot, but I plan to categorize all the photos over all the years and put an expanded history with them on a USB key to be included with the four ring binders etc. when I am brown bread. There are videos too of the early nineties..

[a8hex]

AndrewO said:

It's not in just yet....just putting the summary together...22yrs owned !

OK, it's up now on their website and very nice she looks. I was little confused by the pictures till I read the details down the bottom and realised that the reason that there are pictures of 2 different pairs of front seats is because she comes with two different pairs of front seats.

Can I just confirm that it still has the Moss gearbox rather than having it replaced with a more modern one. Replacing the Moss box in my 150 was a mistake for me, the car lost much of it's charm and character in terms of driving.

Edited by a8hex on Thursday 6th September 12:27

[AndrewO]

Due a visit up to Norfolk to try and put a history folder together. Some car chat over the years sunk in but not to that level..I think the gearbox is a later car.