Jaguar XK150 FHC 3.4 Manual

It is hard to imagine the impact that Jaguar’s XK range had when it was launched way back in 1948. At a time of bleak postwar austerity when the average family saloon could barely crack 60mph and might take a week to get there, here was an outrageously sexy sportscar with a twin-cam race-bred engine that could smash past 60 in just a few seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph. The fact that this epic machine emerged from the shattered ruins of Coventry only made it all the more heroic.

Outstanding motorcars by any standards, the three XK models from the William Lyons stable remained in production for 13 years and simply got better as time went on. Last of the line was the sensational XK150 of 1957, safer, faster and roomier than the XK140 it replaced. Available in roadster, drophead and fixed-head coupe form, it was powered by the superb 3.4-litre XK engine from the 140 but now with 190bhp and more torque thanks to a revised cylinder head design. This was sufficient to propel the car to 60mph in 8.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph.

It also shared the same independent torsion bar front suspension, live leaf-sprung rear axle and rack-and-pinion steering, but had vastly improved stopping power thanks to the all-round Dunlop disc brake technology that Jaguar had pioneered at Le Mans. Wider and roomier than its predecessor, it also had more modern lines, a bigger one-piece windscreen and a padded leather dashboard in place of the wood in the 140. The XK150 remained in production until November 1960 by which time some 9,300 had been sold, the vast majority in left-hand drive.

The chassis number with its 'S' prefix denotes that this is a Special Equipment model, built in 1958 as a LHD with automatic gearbox. It was exported to America, the records picking up in 1974 when it was owned by a gentleman in Florida who re-imported it to the UK in 1988. First registered here in 1989, it was given a thorough restoration which is documented in the form of a photo file. At this time it was converted to RHD and presumably converted to a manual gearbox. Numerous bills accompany the car and it was used until 1999 when the owner fell ill. Unfortunately the car was then part dismantled for a routine job on the brakes and left in less than ideal storage conditions.

As a consequence the bodywork has suffered and it now requires some light restoration to bring it up to standard. The vendor, who couldn’t resist it as a project, has now decided that he should focus on his other cars and is offering it as it stands. He has however been able to fire it up and once the clutch freed off was able to drive it about. It will however require proper re-commissioning before it can be used in anger.

The most comfortable and roomy model of the XK range, the 150 makes a superb grand tourer and this super project looks great value at the guide price suggested today.

AMENDMENT;  Please note that the vendor advises that this car has its original engine fitted and that it has a stainless steel exhaust.