Euro Market Find: Imperial Maroon Jaguar XK140 Roadster

What: 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster
Color: Imperial Maroon (imperialmaroon; non-metallic; JAG-7420; Jaguar)
VIN:  N/A
Mileage: 6,110 km
Price: €72,500
CarFax: N/A
Window Sticker: N/A
Location: Garage Moneghetti, Beausoleil, France
Listing: Link

If you’ve been seeking a vintage Jaguar Roadster, this one makes a compelling case for a number of reasons. No, it’s not any sort of paint-to-sample special, but it is a rare period color that looks great and has all the makings of an incredible heritage story to share with friends. First up is the color – Imperial Maroon. It was a standard color back in the day, and it also has royal context. While not affiliated with Jaguar back then, Jag’s contemporary sister brand Land Rover displayed a collection of cars last year at Pebble Beach painted the same basic Royal Claret color – the literal color painted on cars for the English Royal Family. This color being the color it is, and the name Imperial referring to a monarchy, the tie to the royal livery is pretty obvious.

The car itself is a desirable ’55 Jaguar XK140 Roadster. In 1955, Jaguar was in a dominant place in the automotive industry. 70 years ago this week, at the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, disaster happened when a Jaguar D-type collided with another car and was sent into the crowd amassed along the front straight. While a terrible incident, it’s an unforgettable moment in racing history and one that happened the very year this was produced.

The car in question seems well kept, including a conversion to disc brakes. Its carbonated 4.4-liter 6-cylinder and 4-speed transmission likely help it move down the road with relative ease. Its Imperial Maroon over beige leather is a handsome and stately configuration for a car of this most voluptuous era of sportscar history.

Now pivot to the car’s location in Beausoleil, France. In case the yachts in the background haven’t made it obvious, Beausoleil is literally a suburb of Monaco and the listing suggests the car is actually housed in the principality of Monaco. According to the listing, it was acquired via Sotheby’s auction in 1990. While that means you have import the car to the U.S. where most of our readership is based, it also gives you an excuse to travel to Monaco for a test drive, perhaps purchase and collect. And should you collect, how could you resist a little extra time on the French Riviera driving such a wonderful thing.