The Jaguar XK140 |
| Years |
1954-57 |
| See also |
Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK150 |
| Notes |
All three body styles that had been available with
the XK120 were available immediately. These were the Roadster - 2 seater with sidescreens,
detachable windshield, and hood.
Drop Head Coupe (DHC), fixed windshield, wind up windows, 2+2 seating, and attached hood.
Fixed Head Coupe (FHC), 2+2 seating, wind up windows. Launched at the 1954 Motor show
the XK140 was very much an evolution of the XK120, and
introduced several practical drivability features, including rack and pinion steering,
replacing the 120's recirculating ball system, and telescopic dampers replacing the
archaic lever arm dampers. Some options previously fitted to the XK120SE model like the
more powerful engine, and thicker torsion bars were now made standard. The engine and
bulkhead were moved forward three inches compared to the earlier cars, and the extra space
used to fit occasional rear seats (albeit very small!). The roadster did not have
the extra seats. The exterior changed little from the 120, except for the fitting of much
heavier bumpers, similar to those on the large MK VII. However the FHC roofline was
extended backward and 1 1/2 inches up, to give much more space inside than the 120 FHC.
Another identification point is that the car was outfitted with more chrome and badges
than the XK120, including chrome strips along the middle of the hood and trunk. A cast
radiator grille with fewer and thicker slats replaced the more delicate and expensive
XK120 item. A nearly identical design was later to be used on the Jaguar 2.4 liter (MK I)
in 1956.
Like the 120 before it, the FHC and DHC continued to have dashboards and door cappings
covered in walnut wood, whereas the roadster had a leather covered dash, padding on the
tops of the doors, and side screens for weather protection. |
| Colors |
See the XK models colors
details page |
| Body Styles |
2 door sports, available in three body styles
- Roadster
- Drophead
- Fixed Head Coupe
|
 |
|
Pictures
of XK140's Open two Seater, and Fixed Head Coupe |
| Engines |
| Model |
Engine |
Bore/Stroke |
Power |
| XK140 |
3442cc 6 cyl twin overhead camshaft |
83 x 106 mm |
190 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
XK140SE
aka
XK140M |
3442cc 6 cyl twin overhead camshaft |
83 x 106 mm |
210 bhp @ 5750 rpm
with "C" type head |
|
| Carburetors |
| XK140 |
Twin SU H6 1 3/4 inch (XK140), Twin SU H8 2 inch (XK140SE optional extra
with C type head)
(thanks to Evan Gamblin (an XK140SE owner) for pointing out that
the H8 was optional on the SE model) |
|
|
Engine was the Jaguar XK type
DOHC inline 6. |
| Brakes |
4 wheel hydraulic drum |
Production
(Various sources differ, slightly and these numbers are close estimates. Most
sources agree to within 10, but some are as much as 75 different in total production) |
| No details are available on the split of numbers between RHD
and LHD, but some sources do break out the numbers between home and export production. As
with the XK120 before it almost all cars were exported to earn precious foreign currency No
statistics seem to be available on how many cars were produced in SE trim but it appears
to be rare. |
XK140 Roadster
1954-1957 |
Home 49
Export 3301 |
Total 3350 |
XK140 Fixed Head
1954-1957 |
Home 733
Export 2067 |
Total 2800 |
XK140 Drop Head
1954-1957 |
Home 430
Export 2363 |
Total 2793 |
| Total, all models |
8943 (See note left) |
|
|
| Weight |
| XK140 Roadster |
3024 pounds |
| XK140 DHC |
3192 pounds |
| XK140 FHC |
3136 pounds |
|
| Length |
14 feet 8 inches |
| Height |
4 feet 7 inches (Roadster 4 feet 4 1/2
inches) |
| Width |
5 feet 4 1/2 inches |
| Top speed |
121 mph |
| Wheelbase |
102 inches |
| Transmission |
4-speed manual. Overdrive and 3 speed automatic
optional |
| Suspension |
| Front |
Independent. Coil springs, double wishbones and anti-roll bar |
| Rear |
Live axle, semi elliptic leaf springs. Telescopic dampers.. |
|
| Chassis Numbers |
Additional codes with number
A prefix indicates Special Equipment model
S prefix indicates Special Equipment model with C type cylinder head
DN suffix indicates fitment of overdrive |
| Roadster |
800001 and up (RHD models)
810001 and up (LHD models) |
| Fixed Head |
804001 and up (RHD models)
814001 and up (LHD models) |
| Drop Head |
807001 and up (RHD models)
817001 and up (LHD models) |
|
| Engine Numbers |
See the Jaguar
Engine numbers page |
| Standard Equipment |
Heater, Leather seating on all models. |
| Options |
SE Model (known as XK140M in the
USA (XK140MC if fitted with the "C" type head)
gave standard wire wheels, two foglights. overdrive and twin exhaust system to replace
standard single pipe.. As with the XK120 a futher option was an more powerful 210 bhp
engine with the "C" type cylinder head and larger 2 inch SU carburetors.All
models except where already fitted to SE
Wire wheels in body color or chrome, Wheel trims (rimbellishers) for steel
wheels.Various radios, fog lights, various radios, Luggage Rack. Overdrive for
manual transmission, or 3 speed Borg Warner transmission on 1956 on FHC and DHC models..
The times had changed in that the competition accessories available for the XK120 were no
longer publized, although seem to have been available to special order (as was so often
the case throughout Jaguars history)
When steel wheels were fitted, spats were fitted in the rear wheel wells. These were
omitted in cars equipped with steel wheels because of the extra width of the spinner.
Wheels were all 16 inch, and wire wheels had 54 spokes. Windshield washer. |