Lot 058: 1958 Jaguar XK150 Fixed Head Coupe

Last flowering of the separate chassis XK sportscar line, the XK150 was introduced in 1957. A more sophisticated and refined design than its forebears, it benefited from the adoption of four-wheel disc brakes and a more generously proportioned cabin. Available with a variety of 3.4 litre or 3.8 litre DOHC straight-six engines (in differing states of tune), potential customers could also choose between four-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearboxes. An effortless performer (contemporary road tests recorded top speeds of 130mph upwards) the XK150 did much to cement Jaguar's reputation as Britain's foremost sports car manufacturer. Finished in Midnight Blue with red leather upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example is variously described by the vendor as being in "good" (electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, paintwork), "middling" (interior trim) or "excellent" (engine, four-speed manual plus overdrive gearbox, wheels / tyres) condition. Reportedly "supplied new to the USA", 'XSU 857' is further understood to have had "one owner in Georgia" before being brought back to the UK by a dealer who in turn sold it to the current owner. Beginning life as a 'Special Equipment' model (or so its quoted chassis number would imply), this appealing XK150 is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until July 2008 and sundry paperwork.