Fantasy Junction

Description

1957 Jaguar XK 140 MC Fixed Head Coupe
s/n S815831, engine block no. G8988-8S
Metallic Burgundy with Black Leather Interior

One of the 1950s’ most iconic motor cars, the Jaguar XK series have always had a strong following. XK 140s offer more leg room and more power than their predecessor, the XK 120. With a growing numbers of shows, clubs, and events catering to these cars, and a larger baby boomer audience available to appreciate them, these high-style motor cars continue to be in great demand.

This particular car is an original MC example, although it does not retain all of its MC equipment. It has been in California essentially its entire life and belonged to the same person for 50 years, from 1962 to 2012. Historical Summary by the previous owner:
1960 - My father, George Vieira, was co-founder and the director of the leading television commercial production company in California called Filmways. Filmways was located on the back lot of MGM Studios in Culver City, CA, and they produced most of the national commercials on the air. They were also just beginning to produce feature films. I don’t know if he was the original owner, but George had a friend in one of MGM’s production offices that owned this 1957 XK140 at the time, and he would put it in any MGM movies that he could to make extra money. George always loved the style of the car and told the man to please see him first if he ever wanted to sell it. That day came in 1962. He told me that it had less than 50,000 miles on it at the time.

1962 - George gave the car what he called a “movie car restoration,” which included new paint, whitewall tires and sport rims, etc. He called some directors and production managers that he knew at some other motion picture studios (Universal, Paramount, etc.) and the car was soon appearing in films (Partial movie list provided). Through the remainder of the 1960’s, if the car wasn’t out working, George kept it stored at his work in one of Filmway’s garages. The Jag was always transported to and from the job by flatbed truck.

1970s - Sometime in the early 1970s, the Jaguar was trucked over to one of my grandmother’s apartment garages in N. Hollywood, CA and stored. There it sat, only to be trucked off to work in a movie occasionally, then back into storage….for over the next twenty years.

1990s - George moved into another one of our family’s apartment buildings and he designated another garage parking space for the Jag. But, before bringing it in, my father gave the car another complete Movie Car Restoration and had a couple of mechanics from his shop go through the engine. The car was covered and stored until 2007.

2007- In 2007 George did some research and found out how rare this year and style of Jaguar had become. That’s when I got a phone call from my father with a 50/50 proposition. He wanted us to have a project together; to do a complete restoration on the Jaguar. He would write the checks and I would be the one to hire the people and oversee the job until the completion of the restoration. I agreed, but little did I know it would take almost five years and hundreds of hours on my part. Just a few things that were done are a new paint job, new leather interior, new chrome wire wheels, new whitewall tires, new exhaust, window replacement, buying or re-chroming new pieces for the car, including both bumpers, and a complete tune up by Steve’s Jaguar.

2012 - Just after the completion of the restoration, we decided to sell the car. My father passed away, and these plans were put on hold until my father’s estate was legally settled.


This XK140's appearances in movies:

1960 - The Apartment - United Artists
1967 - The Graduate - Embassy Pictures
1969 - Midnight Cowboy United Artists
1970 - Love Story - Paramount
1973 - American Graffiti - Universal
1975 - Jaws - Universal
1976 - Rocky - United Artists
1978 - Heaven Can Wait - Paramount
1982 - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - Universal
1987 - Fatal Attraction - Paramount
1990 - The Godfather, Part III - Paramount Pictures
1996 - Jerry Maguire - TriStar Pictures
2004 - Ray - Universal

Cosmetically, the is an attractive driver level example. It has a wonderfully solid body and the paintwork, while glossy, does have some surface imperfections and cracks. The gaps and fit are very good to excellent other than at the trailing edge of the right side of the trunk lid, which sits high. The chrome is very good throughout with some light pitting and scratches. The wheels are excellent and sit on recent Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. The lights and glass are very good.

The interior is in similar condition, with nice leather upholstery and wool carpets. The wood-rimmed steering wheel is excellent. The wood trim does not appear to have been restored recently and shows some aging to the finish in places, but is presentable overall. The door panels are intact but were not retrimmed to the highest standards. The trunk received new carpet as well when the rest of the interior was done, although the liner of the trunk lid is missing, as is the spare wheel.

The engine compartment is reasonably clean although not detailed to the most correct standards. An electric cooling fan has been added and there are numerous signs of recent maintenance. The engine block is matching to the chassis but the cylinder head has been replaced at some point.

From a driving perspective, the car has strong fundamentals. The motor runs well and is responsive and well-tuned. The gearbox shifts well although there is some driveline chatter when pulling away from a stop. The brakes are effective and the chassis and suspension are good other than a slight shimmy from the front end.

This is a very unique XK140 that remained in the care of the same owner for 50 years, during which time it appeared in an impressive number of iconic films. Today it is an attractive driver level car that is eligible for a variety of prestigious events and is a structurally excellent car that is a lifetime California example.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608