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Details
Photo credit: Jay Hirsch
1959 JAGUAR XK150 S ROADSTER
Chassis No. T 831792
Mink metallic with tan leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, double overhead camshaft, 3,781cc. (see text), c.265bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual with overdrive; Suspension: front, independent, rear, live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: servo-assisted four wheel disc. Left hand drive.
The XK series (with the 150 as the final evolution) came about almost by accident. The 120 was only to have been a limited production run of 200 cars to publicize the new XK engine, designed for saloons. After the 1948 launch at the London Motor Show, where it was undeniably the sensation of the show, the response was so strong that bodywork casts were prepared and twelve thousand XK120s were subsequently sold. The XK140 followed in 1954 and the 150 in 1957. The 150 had various styling developments over the 140 including a wrap-around windscreen and a new 'hip line'. A slightly wider body and slimmer doors provided considerably more interior room. With massive torque from a powerplant tuned to give maximum power at lower revolutions than before, these models offered surging acceleration to beyond 120mph. There was revised rack and pinion steering and, with the new disc brakes and improved headlamps, the XK150 was the most capable Jaguar high-speed grand touring car yet. The Autocar's testers approved the adjustable steering column, upright seat squab and generous seat adjustment and thought that directional stability 'added to the crew's confidence'. Few of its European competitors, not even the exotica, could outperform the XK150 and none could outbrake it. Just as previous XK Jaguars had, this version delivered unbeatable value for money with all that effortless performance.
According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, this Jaguar XK150 S Roadster was dispatched from England on December 1, 1958 destined for the US. It was originally finished with cream paintwork and red upholstery and the first recorded owner was Lt. Col. R. Hey, Jr. of Cherry Point, North Carolina. When new this car was fitted with the famous 3.4 litre (S specification) XK unit which would have produced around 250 bhp. Very late in the production of the XK150, Jaguar produced an even more powerful version with the engine bored out to 3.8 litre specification and just 36 of these models were originally produced in left hand drive form. At some stage during the life of this particular roadster, an owner decided to upgrade the car and fitted a more desirable 3.8 litre engine.
We believe that at some point this car went from the US to Canada before again returning to the US where a comprehensive three-year restoration was begun, the current owner purchasing the car halfway through the project. The XK was generally quite sound when stripped to the bare metal and only a small amount of sheet metal (sourced from England) was replaced during the work. Naturally the mechanicals were all rebuilt, the car was rewired, instruments were rebuilt and new bows were even made for the convertible top. The chrome was either redone or replaced. The chrome wire wheels are shod with new Dunlop tires. The owner selected a highly distinctive and appealing color scheme of mink (or medium brown metallic) paintwork, while the interior was finished with tan leather upholstery with dark chocolate piping to match the carpets and top. The car is equipped with a wooden Mota Lita steering wheel and its New Jersey license plate is the very apt XK150S. With plenty of performance and styling to match, this XK150 S Roadster is sure to draw a crowd wherever it is taken.
1959 JAGUAR XK150 S ROADSTER
Chassis No. T 831792
Mink metallic with tan leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, double overhead camshaft, 3,781cc. (see text), c.265bhp at 5,600rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual with overdrive; Suspension: front, independent, rear, live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: servo-assisted four wheel disc. Left hand drive.
The XK series (with the 150 as the final evolution) came about almost by accident. The 120 was only to have been a limited production run of 200 cars to publicize the new XK engine, designed for saloons. After the 1948 launch at the London Motor Show, where it was undeniably the sensation of the show, the response was so strong that bodywork casts were prepared and twelve thousand XK120s were subsequently sold. The XK140 followed in 1954 and the 150 in 1957. The 150 had various styling developments over the 140 including a wrap-around windscreen and a new 'hip line'. A slightly wider body and slimmer doors provided considerably more interior room. With massive torque from a powerplant tuned to give maximum power at lower revolutions than before, these models offered surging acceleration to beyond 120mph. There was revised rack and pinion steering and, with the new disc brakes and improved headlamps, the XK150 was the most capable Jaguar high-speed grand touring car yet. The Autocar's testers approved the adjustable steering column, upright seat squab and generous seat adjustment and thought that directional stability 'added to the crew's confidence'. Few of its European competitors, not even the exotica, could outperform the XK150 and none could outbrake it. Just as previous XK Jaguars had, this version delivered unbeatable value for money with all that effortless performance.
According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, this Jaguar XK150 S Roadster was dispatched from England on December 1, 1958 destined for the US. It was originally finished with cream paintwork and red upholstery and the first recorded owner was Lt. Col. R. Hey, Jr. of Cherry Point, North Carolina. When new this car was fitted with the famous 3.4 litre (S specification) XK unit which would have produced around 250 bhp. Very late in the production of the XK150, Jaguar produced an even more powerful version with the engine bored out to 3.8 litre specification and just 36 of these models were originally produced in left hand drive form. At some stage during the life of this particular roadster, an owner decided to upgrade the car and fitted a more desirable 3.8 litre engine.
We believe that at some point this car went from the US to Canada before again returning to the US where a comprehensive three-year restoration was begun, the current owner purchasing the car halfway through the project. The XK was generally quite sound when stripped to the bare metal and only a small amount of sheet metal (sourced from England) was replaced during the work. Naturally the mechanicals were all rebuilt, the car was rewired, instruments were rebuilt and new bows were even made for the convertible top. The chrome was either redone or replaced. The chrome wire wheels are shod with new Dunlop tires. The owner selected a highly distinctive and appealing color scheme of mink (or medium brown metallic) paintwork, while the interior was finished with tan leather upholstery with dark chocolate piping to match the carpets and top. The car is equipped with a wooden Mota Lita steering wheel and its New Jersey license plate is the very apt XK150S. With plenty of performance and styling to match, this XK150 S Roadster is sure to draw a crowd wherever it is taken.