Jaguar XK140 Allemano

The Jaguar XK140 Allemano was a one-off coachbuilt coupé executed by Carrozzeria Allemano of Turin in 1956. Constructed on the Jaguar XK140 chassis, the vehicle represented a rare instance of postwar Anglo-Italian collaboration in the field of bespoke automotive design. The body was styled under the direction of Giovanni Michelotti and built by Allemano to a unique specification, distinct from Jaguar’s standard fixed-head, drophead, or roadster variants. The mechanical configuration was consistent with the Jaguar XK140 SE specification. The engine was a 3,442 cc inline six-cylinder unit, featuring dual overhead camshafts and twin SU carburetors in standard form. The SE (Special Equipment) package included a C-type cylinder head and higher compression ratio, yielding approximately 210 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Front suspension was independent with torsion bars, while the rear employed a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was provided by hydraulic drums at all four wheels. The Allemano body was formed in aluminum or light-gauge steel over a modified XK140 frame. The design featured a more restrained and formal silhouette than the Jaguar factory offerings. Characteristic elements included a clean beltline, recessed headlamps, minimal brightwork, and a tailored fastback roof. The overall form bore influence from contemporary Italian grand tourers, diverging notably from the British manufacturer’s in-house design language. Interior configuration and trim were bespoke, likely executed in leather with wood veneer and specific instrumentation not shared with production XK140s. Only one example is known to have been built. No production records indicate the existence of additional units. The chassis number has not been made public, and ownership history remains undocumented. The vehicle was not entered in period competition or promotional literature and is absent from Jaguar factory records. It is presumed to have been a private commission, executed independently of Jaguar Cars Ltd.