Jaguar XK150SE 3.8 Drophead Coupe

Sitting here in our cosy 21st century world surrounded by airbags and iPhones, 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.

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 initially powered by a 190bhp 3.4-litre six, but eventually had a magnificent triple-carb 3.8-litre unit that produced 265bhp and could sprint to 60 in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 135mph. Stopping power was also vastly improved thanks to the adoption of the disc brake technology that Jaguar had honed at Le Mans. The XK150 remained in production until late 1960 by which time some 9,300 had been sold, the most expensive versions being the dropheads which had occasional rear seats and a fully lined hood.

This particular XK150 dates from 1959 and, judging by the S-prefix chassis number and J7800 body number, it seems to have started out in life as a left-hand drive Special Equipment fixed-head coupe. First registered in the UK in 1990, it has clearly been expertly restored at some time and converted into an S specification 3.8-litre drophead with triple SU carbs and a straight-port head.

Other modifications include the fitment of a modern 5-speed manual gearbox, uprated four-pot front brakes, stainless steel exhaust and manifolds, alternator charging (rather than the original dynamo), uprated alloy radiator and additional cooling fan. The car also benefits from a burr walnut dashboard and door cappings and it rides on sparkling 16” wire wheels with good Avon Turbosteel tyres.

Bills on file show that the 3.8-litre engine was completely rebuilt in April 2011 with new pistons, unleaded heads and a front lip seal conversion at a cost of some £6,250. In November of that year the interior was also retrimmed at a cost of £3,700.

Indeed the car appears to be in exceptionally good condition all round and is reported by the vendor to drive beautifully, undertaking several long journeys last summer with no problems whatsoever, although he does state that the odometer is not working. Sensibly uprated for modern driving and still in its original left-hand drive, this lovely convertible would be ideal for continental touring this summer, top down in the hot sunshine and steering wheel on the correct side! Currently MOTd and taxed, it is due to be driven some 90 miles to the sale.

Please note that an Experian check reveals this car to have been stolen/recovered in October 1998.