Lot 102: 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4-Litre Roadster

What would turn out to be the final glorious incarnation of Jaguar’s fabulous ‘XK’ series of sports cars arrived in 1957. As its nomenclature suggests, the XK150 was a progressive development of the XK120 and XK140, retaining the same basic chassis, 3.4-litre engine and four-speed Moss transmission of its predecessors while benefiting from a new, wider body that provided increased interior space and improved visibility courtesy of a single-piece wrap-around windscreen, replacing the XK140’s divided screen. Cleverly, the new body used many XK120/140 pressings, the increased width being achieved by means of a 4”-wide central fillet. A higher front wing line and broader radiator grille were other obvious differences, but the new model’s main talking point was its Dunlop disc brakes. Fade following repeated stops from high speed had been a problem of the earlier, drum-braked cars, but now the XK had stopping power to match its prodigious straight-line speed.
Introduced in the spring of 1957, the XK150 was available at first only in fixed and drophead coupé forms, the open roadster version not appearing until the following year. At 190bhp, the standard engine’s maximum power output was identical to that of the XK140, so performance was little changed. Overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox were the transmission options, the latter becoming an increasingly popular choice, while a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential was available for the XK150S. For 1960 the XK150 became available with the 3.8-litre, 220bhp XK engine first seen in the Mark IX saloon. In this form the XK150’s increased weight was more than offset by the power of the larger engine, the ‘3.8’ regularly recording in excess of 130mph in magazine road tests.

This left-hand drive XK150 Roadster’s accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate reveals that it was despatched new to Jaguar New York, USA and first owned by one C Jones in Chicago. Re-imported to the UK in the 1990s (already restored), the car benefits from considerable further refurbishment and updating commissioned by the vendor, its owner since 2003. Carried out by Willpower Garage of Lapworth, West Midlands between January and July 2004, this work included the installation of a new Getrag five-speed gearbox, clutch and prop shaft; new wiring loom; new power steering assembly; alternator (replacing the original dynamo and rectifier); electric cooling fan; up-rated front brake callipers (Volvo); radial tyres and re-calibrated speedometer; re-trimmed interior and boot; and new tonneau cover. Willpower’s detailed list of work/parts and invoice for £23,950 is available for inspection. The car comes complete with tool kit, owner’s handbook, service booklet, service invoices, restoration photographic record and bills, JDHT Certificate (confirming matching numbers) and UK Swansea V5 document (for the registration mark ‘SSU 234’).

Le Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate de cette XK150 Roadster à conduite à gauche révèle qu'elle a été livrée neuve à New York, USA, à son premier propriétaire C. Jones à Chicago. Ré-importée au Royaume-Uni dans les années 1990 (déjà restaurée), la voiture bénéficia d'un important travail de réfection supplémentaire et d'améliorations commandés par le Vendeur qui la possède depuis 2003. Réalisés par Willpower Garage de Lapworth, West Midlands, entre janvier et juillet 2004, ces travaux incluent l'installation d'une boîte à cinq rapports Getrag, d'un embrayage et d'un arbre de transmission neufs, d'un nouveau faisceau électrique, d'une nouvelle direction assistée, d'un alternateur (à la place de la dynamo et du régulateur d'origine), d'un ventilateur électrique, d'étriers de freins avant plus performants (Volvo), de pneus radiaux et d'un compteur recalibré, d'un intérieur et d'un coffre regarnis et d'un nouveau couvre-tonneau. Le détail des pièces, des travaux et des factures de Willpower pour un montant de 23 950 livres est disponible.
La voiture est complète avec son lot de bord, son manuel d'utilisation, son carnet et ses factures d'entretien, les photos de sa restauration et les factures correspondantes, le JDTH Certificate (confirmant le même numéro de moteur et de châssis) et le titre de circulation V5 de Swansea (UK) portant le numéro d'immatriculation “ SSU 234 ”.