Lot 134: 1957 Jaguar XK 150 FHC

At the 1948 London Motor Show Jaguar had virtually thrown the sports car world into turmoil with its stunning XK120; the combination of style, speed, an outstanding chassis and remarkably low price was unbeatable, and without doubt the XK120 was an absolute milestone for both Jaguar and the motor industry as a whole. At the heart of the William Lyons-styled roadster was Jaguar's all-new 3,442cc, twin overhead camshaft, straight six engine producing 160bhp via twin SU carburettors - sufficient for 120mph and 0-60mph in 12 seconds. Fine road holding was ensured by the independent torsion bar/wishbone front suspension and semi-elliptic leaf-sprung rear axle, together with all-round drum brakes. Succeeding the XK120 was the XK140 launched at the 1954 London Show. Visually similar but with a reshaped radiator grille with fewer, larger slats and 2+2 seating, thanks to engine and bulkhead being three inches further forward, a change which also realised almost 50/50 weight distribution, it remained mechanically the same but with suspension improved from lessons learnt on the race track. And now with 190bhp on tap, top speed rose to 110mph - or 129mph with optional overdrive and 210bhp special equipment engine - while the 0-60mph sprint dropped to 11 seconds. The final rendition of the XK appeared in May 1957. Easily identifiable by its higher scuttle and door line, and much wider grille, the XK150 retained the mechanical layout of its predecessor; in 210bhp XK150 S form, however, it marked a Jaguar first in having all-round disc brakes, an asset with 0-60mph acceleration of 8.5 seconds and a 125mph maximum. For 1960, the penultimate year of production, the 3,781cc engine was fitted which in S guise produced 265bhp, sufficient for 132mph and 0-60mph in just 7.5 seconds.This particular car has always been registered in the UK, and has only had three owners from new. Over the last four to five years the car has undergone a whole host of work. Most importantly the car has had a comprehensive restoration and re- spraying of the bodywork in 2004. Since then the car has had new components ranging from new water and petrol pumps, new exhaust and a complete engine servicing in 2006. The car is said to be in very good overall condition and shows only 17,976 miles on the clock, which is believed to be correct. Mit nur 3 eingetragenen Vorbesitzern und einem Tachostand von lediglich 17.976 Meilen muss dieser rechtsgelenkte XK 140 wohl eines der besten Exemplare auf dem Markt sein. In den letzten vier bis fnf Jahren wurde der Wagen umfangreichen Restaurierungsarbeiten unterzogen, unter anderem wurde die Karrosserie restauriert und neu lackiert, ebenso wurde der Motor berholt und eine neue Benzin-, und Wasserpumpe sowie ein neuer Auspuff eingebaut. Vom Einlieferer als in sehr gutem Zustand beschrieben, muss dies wohl einer der XK 150 mit der niedrigsten Lauleistung sein.