Next Sunday, The Dutch JDOC visits the workshop for their annual tech meet. We've asked local specialists for workshops and presentations: spot repair (older paint) on the Jags and AC check and refurbish. There are also cars on display. The XJ Coupes are thick on the ground in the shop: we have currently 3 specimen. So it would be nice to have something else - as conversation piece.
Enter a wonderful XK140
Not for sale, not for restoration. The owner wants to keep the car 'as is' and he's not worried about it. We contacted him and without a second of thought, he agreed. This morning the guys brought the car in. Little rich running (bursts of fire from the left exhaust on the overrun...).
It's what you would call a 'rat look car'. Techically, it's great (apart from rich running). The hoses are perfect, the clutch and box are noise-free and it steers and stops like a restored car. The looks however are something special: flaked paint, missing paint, red oxide paint shining through etc... The interior is... well... fantastic in my book.
Menno
This time big pics, because I think it's so beautiful!! Note the different plates on the front and back. We had to stuck a plate on it for the trip... Officially we need two of the same plates, but we couldn't find the other one. Oh well.
Last edited by thieuster; 20th October 2017 at 16:26.
Don't touch it! It's a walking (driving) history book, I could see Brown's Lane from my bedroom window as a kid.
I might tidy the seats a little to prevent further damage but that's it.
Great looking machine and far more interesting than the spotless, spiritless concours examples.
There are more than a few on here that would call it a scruffy load of crap
To me it's a fantastic survivor that deserves to be kept looking as original as it possibly can. It sounds like he's got it mechanically sorted which is great.
That looks fabulous.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
Perfect.
Just don't let Paul see it.
Lovely car. Thank you for posting the pictures.
Boooaasaaahhhhhh.
Someone who lies about the little things will lie about the big things too.
So rare to see classics like this in 'well loved' condition, thanks for sharing.
I guess if it's a Californian import, it shouldn't be suffering from tin worm. I hope they're going to keep it in a warm, dry garage so that it doesn't deteriorate (further?) or it could all get crumbly very quickly..
Cheers,
Plug
Fantastic car, In perfect condition
I really don't like seeing over restored cars, watches anything really.
The seats need a bit of attention but only to stop more cracking. Nothing else.
Leave it as and give it a coat of clear coat on top and Waxoil underneath.
A XK140 rat rod
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Disregarding the state and/or condition, aesthetically what a beautiful and stylish car that is.
F.T.F.A.
Beautiful beast that.
Wow. Occasionally I see one on my way to work and I think it's one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. The one I see is beautifully restored, I love the fact though that this one has been left unmolested.
Beautiful looking car, all the better for not being restored.
I'll be posting more pics of the Tech Meet later this weekend. I am sure that the car will draw attention!
Regarding the interior: I know a man (local) who pulls old leather sofas and chairs from skips just for the 'used look' leather. He installs this in replica Austin 7s (link at the bottom of this posting).Perhaps this is a nice way for the XK owner to 'renew' his car's seats.
The Avons are still being sold by specialists like Longstone in the UK - at a price... nearly 300 GBP per tyre! Without getting into details: the owner has more than one classic and certainly knows his business (remember the DB5 Superleggera I posted years ago? It's his car too). We can be sure that he will do all he can to keep this car in this condition: this Californian car is stored in a climate controlled environment and gets TLC on a regular basis.
Menno
http://www.austinseven.eu
Last edited by thieuster; 20th October 2017 at 21:48.
That my Sir is a frogging beauty. Kiss it gently and itll become a very handsome prince.
Good luck
Jim
Long stone tyres are not cheap , great to deal with but pricey . They are sorting out Pirelli cn36 for the mk2 escort rs2000 at £300 plus each
I do like this car ����
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote