This race & road special is an original Jaguar XK140, with a period correct hand-crafted all-steel body, complete with two “Brookland’s” folding windscreens. The chassis was rebuilt and strengthened with the use of Bernard gussets, and the entire suspension was renewed using new-original components. The engine was rebuilt to fast-road spec’ with 2-inch SU’s and a lightened flywheel. The original Moss (gear) box was also rebuilt, and I have installed a five speed Tremec transmission, which has dramatically improved gear changes. The period-correct five wire wheels are brand new – and we also have the originals in storage, with a spare cylinder head and the Moss Box. The instruments were rebuilt in Connecticut and a GPS speedometer installed for accuracy. The spare wheel is mounted in the tail alongside a luggage carrier. A fuel cell is located under the luggage carrier, which is alongside a Le Mans type gas cap. Cooling is achieved with a custom-built high-capacity aluminum radiator and a semi-automatic cooling fan.  The body was hand built in Kingston and reflects road-race-specials of the same era, built in the UK and Australia. Upfront the original XK 140 grill is used, and the bonnet has a center hinge, which gives excellent access to both sides of the engine. Two leather straps straddle the body – mostly for effect. 

The car has run at Mosport and at the VSCCA Mount Equinox Hill Climb in Vermont. It is a fascinating car to drive. Full of history and reminiscent of what competitive motoring was like in the 1940’s and 50’s in Europe, the car was featured in Classic Jaguar magazine and a book has been published, which records the entire build process, with over a thousand photographs. The book is currently selling in several countries, largely to motoring enthusiasts.

Over two frigid Canadian winters and two steamy summers, we built the Kingston Jaguar XK 140 Race Special. The plan was simple. Locate a laid-up convertible Jaguar XK 140 and while respecting the originality and history of the marque – build this into a road-going race special. Fortunately, our donor car was totally intact mechanically and equally period correct, so the build program was relatively straight forward.  Designing and fabricating an all-steel body demanded considerable forethought. Period images from racing in-period were secured and an acceptable design eventually emerged. There were basically two tracks to the build program. Ensuring we included period-correct new (where necessary) mechanical components, while restoring those which were suitable. At the same time designing the body to be reflective of racing in the late 40’s and early 50’s in the UK.

Vintage Jaguar XK 140 "Special" Race/Road Car