A shabby Jaguar XK140 found in a Belgian garage back in April has been auctioned off in Monaco for €365,500, approximately ten times its original estimated value.
created as a standard XK140 in 1955, the vehicle was engaged in a crash in 1957 in which its original bodywork was almost unsalvagably crushed. It was eventually in this state modified and restored by celebrated Italian coachbuilder Giovani Michelotti, who made a one-of-a-kind Jag with one of a kind styling.
While the vehicle needed a full rebuilding, it’s clear to see the high-waisted fastback styling and jaunty, strong silhouette are not at all like the Jaguar as it first left appeared. Its front end is especially dynamically styled, previewing (unintentionally) the XJ-S models for which Jaguar wound up being known for twenty years later.
Inside, the auto still holds onto quite a bit of its original XK140 mechanicals, however, its motor derives intensely from the C-Type. Specialists postulate that the 1957 accident that harmed the coachwork likewise affected the engine, and that the broken XK140 segments were supplanted with rivalry parts from a similar time.
The outcome is a totally one of a kind British sports car with an intriguing history. It was made available to be purchased by Bonhams at the memorable Villa la Vigie, sitting above Monte Carlo and the Côte d’Azur, on Friday afternoon. Funds from the deal will go to the Animal Rescue Center in Ghent.
“Establishing the value of a barn find is always difficult, especially when it has unique attributes such as this one,” said Bonhams spokesperson Poppy McKenzie Smith. “The total achieved for the car yesterday illustrates the fact that collectors remain keen to acquire rare and interesting projects…We are delighted with the result, particularly as the sale of this lot supports an animal welfare charity in the vendor’s native Belgium.”
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