My ‘140 started out as a huge con and a terrible mistake. I bought her from a Houston lawyer when we lived in the US. She looked wonderful when I first saw her and foolishly, I paid far too much. It wasn’t long before problems began. After a few months in England the paintwork developed what seemed like the automotive equivalent of ringworm – tiny micro blisters under the skin. We stripped off the paint to reveal what was little more than a rusting hulk. The bottom third of the car was more or less non-existent, the areas around the rear wheel arches looked as though they had been peppered with a shotgun. The ‘B’ posts were a montage of ham-fisted bodges. Everywhere the bodywork resembled a colander. In all, we took out about a hundredweight of plastic filler.

Above: Black and tan, two-tone seats.

Left: Handsome ‘140 rear with lots of chrome for the US market; only 76 right handed OTS cars were made. This is a converted left hander.

Above: 4.2 litre engine bay with 2” SUs.

Below: Cut down Triumph 2000 gearstick with Stag top and integeral overdrive switch.

It was so bad that I lost heart. I decided to cut my losses and scrap her; I even sold the non-original engine. Within a year however, XK values were on the rise and I decided that we might as well rebuild her properly. Unfortunately, a lot of other projects got in the way and it was another fourteen years before she once again took to the road.

She’s far from standard. The engine is made up of an XJ6 Series 1 block and an XJ6 S3 head so she’s a 4.2. We’ve stuck on MK 2 cam covers so she looks right. I’ve stayed away from triple carbs and made do with a pair of SU HD8s. I managed to acquire a brand new, old stock Moss gearbox with overdrive. The box has a GBN number so I suspect it was originally destined for a MK 1.  I originally fitted front discs but later added a rear set and a servo.

Now has an age related plate.

It took a long time to get her to where she is but I think the end result has been worth it. She goes beautifully and, like her sister ‘150, is wonderful to use on twisting and winding roads. I think Sir William would forgive the few liberties I have taken with the rebuild.

In truth, my poor old ‘140 has been sorely neglected over the years and rather left sitting in a corner of the garage while her sisters took to the road. I hope 2024 will see a change, starting with a minor recommissioning and major service. The fuel gauge system needs fixing and I plan to fit an ali expansion tank  The plan is get her out on the road a lot more in the coming months.

Four wheel discs  withs servo assistance makes for positive braking