Stored 30 Years: 1957 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS Project

This 1957 Jaguar XK140 MC OTS (chassis S812895) has been parked in a garage for 30 years and will need work as a result, but is said to be fully matching numbers and complete. The front passenger side corner has taken a hit at some point, but the engine is said to turn freely. MC’s (SE’s in their home market) were fitted with a C-type head, 2” sand-cast SU H8 carbs, heavier torsion bars and twin exhaust pipes, making this one an ideal restoration candidate. Find it here on eBay in Bayonne, New Jersey with a $55k Buy-It-Now.

Silver or dove gray paint looks like it could be original but has seen better days, and the partially repaired front end damage will necessitate a respray anyway. Trim and accessories seem mostly intact, though the taillight lenses are missing or have been busted out. Our main concern here is rust, especially as the rockers and lower extremities of the car aren’t shown. The car is said to be straight aside from the corner, and if corrosion free looks like it’d be a relatively easy refurb.

The interior is covered in musty, busy floral carpet that we wish would have been stripped in order to get a better assessment of the floors’ condition and also to prep it for something less terrible. Veneers are shot, but switchgear and instrumentation seem to be all there if likely in need of internal repair. Leather seems dirty but free of tears or rips, and though the padding underneath will need replacement the hides themselves are probably very serviceable. The top and side curtains look pretty good and may be useable as well.

The seller speculates that the car will start easily after a fuel system cleaning, but even so we’d still want a full teardown. It may turn over freely but that doesn’t mean bearings, seals, valve guides and other perishable parts have weathered the years intact. A full re-wire is another big job to budget for, as are brakes and suspension overhauls. Even if it is relatively rot-free there will be plenty of systemic jobs to tend to, but we’d rather shell out for all of them than pay for a new chassis and extensive body repair.

XK’s are wonderful driving, beautiful old cars, and these MC’s are particularly special. Though we say it often it bears repeating—we hope this car avoids over-restoration and another three decades consigned to storage.

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