2022-10-01 09:44:54 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1959-jaguar-xk150-s-roadster-lhd-nRkxJ4_aaid=a5ce63ed-6419-48b8-adb6-8692f74daf04&bsft_eid=318460f0-256d-4371-b38 ...

Seller's description:

1959 Jaguar XK150 S Roadster (LHD)

Colour Black

Odometer 73,482 Miles

Engine size 3400

Town Petworth

Seller Type Private

Location Sussex

Country United Kingdom

Imported from a dry state

New interior fitted

Only 1 UK owner since 1988

Always kept garaged

Rare ‘S’ variant

Built in February 1959, this XK150 S spends another month in Coventry before it is shipped out in March to New York 

It doesn’t appear to of had many owners in the USA, and by the mid to late ’70s the car is with the previous owner

There are many registration tags within the paperwork from states such as Wyoming and Texas 

It is the latter state where the car is exported from

In 1987 the current owner sets XK Engineering a task to find and locate a solid XK150S Drop Head

In 1988 this car enters the UK and is bought by the current owner

Since then, they have undertaken a lot of work that now means it sits today in near perfect condition

There is a lot of paperwork from both the current and previous owners

You will find some original and some photocopies of paperwork from the USA from the previous owner

There are also a lot of big invoices from the UK as well

The first important invoice is from 2006, and documents the first restoration works that were undertaken, this has been photographed in its entirety so you can see what was replaced

In 2016 the car goes in for a full bare metal respray, it stays the original colour, but it now looks better than when it left the factory 

There is another big invoice from Twyford Moors Classic Cars from 2015 that has once again been photographed so you can read through it

With so much paperwork this XK150 S has an amazing history making it even more desirable

It is now your chance to add to this car’s illustrious history

The Interior

Retrimmed upholstery

Striking red leather

Beautifully presented 

The interior of this special Jaguar is presented for sale in amazing condition, thanks to an interior overhaul in 2015 the seats, door cards, and carpets all look better than new. 

There is no doubt that you will enjoy and remember every minute spent within the interior of this rare Jag.

If we start by looking down at the red carpets, it is clear to see that this classic has been well cared for. Replaced as part of the re-trim these carpets match the red leather seats beautifully. From the photos you can see that these carpets have been protected with rubber over mats, meaning they may still look like new under there. 

Moving up to the seats, we can see that they look great, the red leather complements the exterior gloss black extremely well. The leather on these seats is void from any nasty marks, such as rips or stains, meaning you can jump straight in without having to think about getting them cleaned. If you fold these seats forwards you are met with a couple of rear seats, more of a 2+2 these seats are smaller but still in great condition. 

Sitting behind the steering wheel of this Jaguar is a truly memorable experience. The thin-rimmed Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel is a joy to use and when you pan over to the centre console you are met with a bank of classic looking knobs and dials. All of the Smiths dials work, providing vital driving information. It is also a great sense of occasion to use all of the knobs and switches too.

Moving up slightly from the centre console section we are met with the drop head roof section. From the inside this roof is in amazing condition, it was replaced as part of the interior overhaul, it is also lined with horsehair for added insulation. 

If we move to the right to the back, we can have a peek inside the boot. Luckily for you, this too has had some love during the re-trim and is now nice and clean with space for all your luggage. Under the boot floor, you will find the spare wire wheel with the original toolkit still present. 

With the roof up this car can easily be used all year round, thanks to the insulation it keeps the heat in pretty well. 

However, as this is the drop-top version, the interior can instantly be transformed into a light and airy cabin within seconds. With the roof retracted the cabin is filled with the sounds and smell of classic motoring, it is the place to sit for a classic road trip that is for sure.

Overall, the interior of this rare Jaguar is in amazing condition. It is just waiting for you to slide in and start making long-lasting memories behind the elegant wooden steering wheel.

The Exterior 

Professionally resprayed

New chrome wire wheels

New fabric hood

Excellent chrome condition

This XK150 has aged gracefully over the past 60 years and is now one of the best looking motor vehicles on the road today.

When the current owner acquired the car in the late 1980s it was finished in a gloss black paint, but over the years this paint started to show its age so in 2015 it is sent off to the body shop to get a respray. 

Several months later the car returns looking like this, absolutely stunning, every time you see it you need to pick your jaw off the ground. 

The gloss black paint is extremely good, it provides a deep finish that reflects the surroundings well. The paint is then further enhanced by all of the chrome that adorns every corner of this XK150 S, you would have to go over it with a microscope to find issues with this chrome. When it hasn’t been in use that car has been stored dry in a garage under a cover. 

No classic Jaguar is complete unless it has wire wheels. Luckily for you, this Jaguar sits on four immaculate wire wheels (with the spare in the boot also being a new wire wheel). 

The current owner explained on the day that these are now made with stainless steel, meaning they shouldn’t rust through like the original steel wire wheels. 

From front to back you will find amazing little touches that just enhance the exterior even further. 

On the front there is a Jaguar Owners Club badge, on the sides, you will find the ‘S’ badge, and on the rear, there is a special Jaguar badge that documents their dominance at Le Mans throughout the 50s. Everywhere you look you are reminded of a time gone by where cars were proper cars, with no driver aids to nanny you, just your right foot. 

With the roof up this car is a very sleek looking sports tourer, but with the roof down it comes into its own as one of the prettiest convertibles ever. Should you wish to drive around with the top down then you’ll be happy to hear that it can be neatly stowed underneath the included tonneau cover. 

There was one small snag when taking the photos that relates to the new hood. As it has experienced little use it is still taught meaning you may need to adjust the clamps accordingly as every so often they can pop off. 

Overall, the exterior of this Jaguar is presented much like the interior, extremely well, you will have no problems parking this up at a car show and having many adorning eyes look your way. 

Within the paperwork, there is a certificate that shows it has won Concours events in the past, so why not add to this success?

The Mechanics 

Rare ‘S’ Variant

Triple carbs

Completely rewired

Amazing to drive

Now, this is no ordinary XK150, the standard variant provided owners with a more than respectable 190bhp, but the S versions would produce a tyre shredding 250bhp. 

This performance increase was achieved by using a Weslake-developed straight port cylinder head, high compression pistons, and triple 2” SU carburettors, with twin electric fuel pumps. 

Today, 60 years later, this XK150 still feels every part of the sports tourer it was intended to be. Starting every time on the button its straight six soundtrack is bellowed out to the world through a Larini sports exhaust.

Back in 1959, you could get your XK150 S with a choice of either a Borg Warner automatic gearbox, or a 4-speed with overdrive manual gearbox. 

Luckily, this car was fitted with the latter. This moss box still feels nice to use and it engages you with the driving experience more than the automatic gearbox would.

The current owner has undertaken an expensive, and extensive, rewiring of this Jaguar. Using modern technology now means that you shouldn’t have any electrical gremlins like they were experiencing. 

Throughout their ownership the current owner has used this car, it has not been a garage queen at all, they recounted a story of taking it to the Le Mans Classic and even going round on a track parade around the legendary circuit. 

This example is presented in amazing mechanical condition, it just leaves you with the pleasure of hopping in and taking it out for a long blast with the wind in your hair.