Photography by: Johnathan Rothman (@thejohnrothman)
1956 Jaguar XK140 Convertible
Raced in period by Briggs Cunningham and Denise McLuggage
Location: California, USA
Country of original delivery: USA
Chassis/VIN: S818207
Mileage: 76,025 miles
Colour: Red
Original colour of delivery: Carmine Red
Price: Call for Price
The car
As part of its Private Sales initiative, Petrolicious is proud to offer a unique collector-grade Jaguar. The Jaguar XK140 represented the epitome of front-mounted 6-cylinder Jaguars in the mid-1950s. This particular example is without a doubt the most storied one in the United States of America, as it was raced and campaigned by two of the most prolific personalities in the American racing world. The car was first campaigned by renowned Briss Cunningham, who was indisputably one of the most pivotal figures in postwar sports car racing, making a profound impact as a driver, team owner, and constructor.
Briggs then proceeded to donate his XK140 to Denise McLuggage, an American auto racing driver, journalist, author and photographer. She pioneered gender equality in motorsports and journalism in the U.S., and was among the very first women taking part in professional automotive racing. Her racing achievements included winning the grand touring category at Sebring in a Ferrari 250 GT in 1961, and a class win in the Monte Carlo Rally in a Ford Falcon in 1964. She also participated in the Nürburgring 1000 km sports car race.
This car’s past is in fact so fascinating that it recently enabled it to earn a very coveted spot in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA), where it resided in 2022 alongside other giants of the racing world. What’s perhaps even more remarkable, is that the car presents in unaltered condition. It’s been kept ‘as-is’ by its 4 owners (Briggs Cunningham, Denise McLuggage, and 2 other owners, including the present one), and is showing a splendid amount of patina. Everything about this car is original and has remained untouched over the last 58 years – the chassis, body panels, engine, transmission, suspension, wheels, seats, dashboard materials, and more, are all original. And, magically, 58 years later, it still elegantly runs and drives.
Condition | exterior
Body – All panels are original and matching on this Jaguar. Dents, rock chips, scratches – all of these can be found on the car, which emphasizes its originality.
Underbody – Pictures of the undercarriage are available on demand.
Paint – This Jaguar XK140 rolled off the production line in a stunning Carmine Red shade (on a black interior). These days, the car’s paint has started to crack and is peeling on some body panels, as it was never resprayed and paint protection films were never applied to its body panels.
Wheels – The wheels are original units and are presenting in stunning condition still to this day.
Condition | interior
Dashboard & Instrumentation – The dashboard and instruments are original to the car. The speedometer and odometer are both shown in miles, as this example was originally delivered in the USA. The wooden dashboard is also fully original.
Seats, Trim, & Carpet – The materials inside #S818207 are fully original. Seats, headliners, and leather: everything in the car’s cockpit is original and, as you can easily observe, has patinaed very tastefully over the years.
Door sills – Both door sills show heavy usage, as this car was used to race and has remained unaltered since originally delivered in 1956.
Keys, Instruction Manuals, tools – Two original keys are included with the car. Instruction manuals are also accompanied, but the tool set is absent from the lot.
Condition | mechanical
Original & Matching Motor?: Yes.
Engine Number: 251
Original & Matching Transmission?: Yes.
Gearbox Number:
Original Exhaust System?: Yes.
Our thoughts on this 1956 Kaguar XK140 ‘Ladyleadfoot’
Our Jaguar XK140 #S818207 is a “barn find” like no other. It’s a true piece of British-American automotive history, a Motorsports Hall of Famer, a relic from the past and represents an almost unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a Briggs Cunningham/Denise McLuggage collector car.
It embodies everything that Petrolicious stands for: motorsports, provenance, originality, and, most importantly, passion. The car has had only four owners since new, including Briggs & Denise, with its subsequent caretakers dedicating themselves to preserving its legacy and spirit. Unaltered for nearly six decades, this XK140 is a true driver’s car, and now you have the chance to become its next custodian—carrying forward its timeless story and sharing its passion with the world. Please inquire for more information.
