Quarterly Newsletter Volume 79
Quarterly Newsletter Volume 79
Restoration Complete!
We’re pleased to announce the completion of our restoration of a truly special Jaguar: an original numbers-matching 1956 XK-140 MC Fixed Head Coupe. Built in June of that year, this remarkable example was first delivered to Mr. Louis R. Emme at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway. Known to its most recent owner for over a decade, the car spent many years carefully stored away, preserving an impressive level of originality and authenticity—qualities that made it an ideal candidate for restoration at the highest level.
Once acquired, we began a comprehensive, bare-metal restoration that allowed us to address every aspect of the vehicle with precision. From expertly finished metalwork and traditional leadwork to the meticulous fitting of body panels and brightwork, every detail was handled with historical accuracy and care.
The Jaguar was finished in its original Dove Grey over Burgundy leather, trimmed with restored burl walnut woodwork and completed to our exacting Show-level standards. Now fully restored, the XK-140 MC made its public debut at the 2025 Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it earned an impressive 99.850 in class—an excellent first showing for this freshly completed build.
We’re proud to now have this elegant Fixed Head Coupe in our active concours lineup and look forward to presenting it at future events. Be sure to view our restoration gallery and keep an eye out for this beautiful Jaguar on the show field!
The XK 140 was introduced in 1954 with major changes in both appearance and engineering. Externally, its classic lines were retained, but sturdier bumpers were added for better protection at the front and rear. While the rear maintained its basic lines, the finish features were completely restyled. However, the most important changes were mechanical. The engine was repositioned three inches forward on the chassis, providing more passenger room and space for the battery in the front fender well, which freed up the area behind the seats for a jump seat or additional storage. The “MC” variant, which stands for "Modified with a C-type cylinder head" (known as the “red head” for enhanced performance), included fog lamps, twin exhausts, J headlights, a windshield washer, engine refinements, and overdrive.
In 1951, the Special Equipment spec (SE) was introduced. In American markets, it was labeled "MC" to denote the car’s high-performance cylinder heads from the Jaguar C-Type Le Mans race car. This setup, along with SU carburetors and dual exhaust pipes, boosted power to 210 bhp at 5,750 rpm. The Jaguar XK140, introduced in 1955, was more refined than its predecessor, the XK120. Major mechanical changes included the engine being moved three inches forward and the adoption of rack-and-pinion steering. Outwardly, the XK140 featured a revised radiator grille, rear lights with flashing indicators, and larger bumpers to handle urban parking impacts. SE cars came with wire wheels, Lucas fog lamps, and an optional C-type cylinder head, which added 20 more horsepower. Contemporary road tests regularly recorded top speeds exceeding 120 mph.
