Jaguar offered all three XK140 bodies from the October 1954 announcement. That is worth noting because neither of the other XK generations did: the XK120 began as a roadster and added the coupe in 1951 and the drophead in 1953, and the XK150 reversed the order, launching with the closed cars and adding the roadster nearly a year later.
Open Two Seater
The lightest and the purest. Sidescreens rather than wind-up windows, a folding hood, and no rear seat. The rarest in right-hand drive by a wide margin — 74 chassis numbers, 73 cars, and only 45 sold to British customers.
Fixed Head Coupe
The roof brought wind-up windows, a proper heater, and — thanks to the engine, bulkhead and dash all moving forward — occasional rear seating for a child or a short adult. Jaguar's own 1955 brochure puts it as "two children or one adult", and notes that with the rear seats unused the front panel of the luggage locker drops forward to form a platform, "thus greatly increasing the carrying capacity."
Drophead Coupe
Wind-up windows and a lined, folding hood: the civilised open car, against the roadster's more spartan arrangement. Occasional rear seating as per the coupe.