1957 | Jaguar 3,4 Liter

• When people talk about British motoring heritage, few names carry as much weight as Jaguar

• The OTS SE can be considered the XK at its sharpest

• Mille Miglia Eligible, in the case of the Jaguar XK 140, just the Open Two-Seater (OTS) version is eligible

• It participated in both the 2024 and 2025 editions, its proud starting number still displayed on the door

• In its striking and original British Racing Green with tan leather and a black soft top

• The car is accompanied by a Daimler Heritage Certificate, which confirms its original factory specification, including color combination and SE configuration

When people talk about British motoring heritage, few names carry as much weight as Jaguar.

Among Jaguar’s most celebrated chapters stands the XK series, launched in 1948 with the XK 120. It was a revelation: sleek, daring, and fast enough to become the world’s fastest production car at the time.

By the mid-1950s, the XK line had matured. Enter the XK 140, introduced in 1954 as the successor to the legendary XK 120.
t was not designed to replace the 120’s spirit but to improve on its everyday usability. A little more space inside, a few modern touches, and technical updates.

The Jaguar XK 140 OTS SE was one of the jewels of the lineup.

“OTS” stands for Open Two-Seater, the purest and sportiest expression of the XK design, with its low-slung body and cockpit open to the wind.

The “SE,” or Special Equipment, package pushed things even further, offering enhancements like wire wheels, twin exhausts, and a higher compression engine.

It was, in essence, Jaguar’s way of saying: this is the XK at its sharpest.

The year 1957 marked the final chapter for the XK 140, as its successor, the XK 150, was already waiting in the wings.

In total, 8,937 examples were built across all body styles:

– OTS (Open Two-Seater / Roadster): about 3,350
– DHC (Drophead Coupé): about 2,790
– FHC (Fixed Head Coupé): about 2,797

From Jaguar historians and club registries, the estimate is that roughly half of XK 140s were ordered with the SE package.

For the OTS (Open Two-Seater) body style specifically (3,350 built), we can estimate that 1,600–1,800 were OTS SEs.

Surviving examples today are even fewer, making a an XK 140 OTS SE a fairly rare and very desirable car.

When it comes to the Mille Miglia, eligibility is a matter of historical accuracy: just the cars that actually took part in the original race (1927–1957) or identical models are admitted to the modern retrospective.

In the case of the Jaguar XK 140, this means that just the Open Two-Seater (OTS) version is eligible.

This distinction makes the XK 140 OTS especially significant among collectors: it is not just the purest, sportiest version of the model, but it’s also the one that carries the Mille Miglia pedigree.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This specific Jaguar XK 140 was completed in Coventry on 24th January 1957 and dispatched to Jaguar Cars, New York on 5 February of the same year. One of the many elegant roadsters destined for America, where Jaguar’s mix of beauty and performance had already won hearts.

An original left-hand drive Open Two-Seater in SE specification, it left the factory in its striking British Racing Green with tan leather and a Gunmetal soft top.

For years it lived its first life in the United States, and there it underwent a comprehensive restoration, returning it to the form in which it had left Coventry. In August 2011, the car crossed the Atlantic once more, this time to Belgium.

There, it found a devoted custodian who kept it in careful preservation for over a decade.

On 12 September 2012, the XK 140 came into the hands of a Mr. Gerald Hibert, who would own it for eleven years.

In October 2023, the car was purchased by a gentleman in Germany, with the clear intention of driving it in the Mille Miglia.

Together with his young daughter, he participated in both the 2024 and 2025 editions, experiences that gave the car its proud starting number still displayed on the door.

After two years of enjoying the event, he has decided to offer the Jaguar for sale as he likes to drive with another car the Mille Miglia.

The car is accompanied by a Daimler Heritage Certificate, which confirms its original factory specification, including color combination and SE configuration.

The car was professionally prepared and thoroughly inspected both before and after each Mille Miglia participation, ensuring that its mechanical condition remains reliable and that it continues to perform at the highest standard required for such demanding events. Nevertheless it’s a classic car and technical issues can always appear.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

The exterior presents in excellent condition, with the British Racing Green paintwork displaying a deep gloss and consistent finish, complemented by well-preserved brightwork and panel fit that reflects the quality of its restoration.

The chrome wire wheels are in excellent order, fitted with period-style knock-off hubs that enhance the car’s sporting character.

The windscreen and side glasses remain clear and free from significant blemishes, fitting neatly within their bright surrounds.

Completing the look, the soft top is well preserved, with taut fabric, clean stitching, and a snug fit, underscoring the car’s careful maintenance and attention to originality.

CONDITION INTERIOR

Inside, the cabin presents beautifully, trimmed in its original specification of tan leather.
The seats reflects both preservation and gentle use.

The dashboard and instrument panel retain their period-correct finishes, with clear gauges and functional switchgear adding to the authenticity of the cockpit.

The carpets and interior trim are in excellent order, neatly fitted and complementing the warm tones of the upholstery.

Overall, the interior combines the charm of originality with the freshness of a well-maintained restoration, creating a welcoming and highly authentic driving environment.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Behind the wheel, this Jaguar XK 140 delivers the authentic experience that made the model legendary.

As an Open Two-Seater, it surrounds the driver and passenger with the sounds and sensations that define classic Jaguar motoring.

The inline-six engine, equipped with the Special Equipment package, delivers more power than the standard version, around 210 Hp thanks to its higher-compression C-Type cylinder head and twin exhaust system.

Its qualities came fully to life in the Mille Miglia of 2024 and 2025, where the car completed the demanding route with style and reliability.

The XK 140 OTS remains the version eligible for the event, giving this example special relevance.

The Jaguar still wears its beautiful Mille Miglia starting number on the doors, a proud reminder of its recent competition history and its connection to one of the world’s most celebrated road races.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.