Lot 201: 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4-Litre Coupé

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 divided screen. 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. ‘Special Equipment’ and ‘S’ versions came with 210 and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. Overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox were the transmission options.
Its (recently deceased) German owner purchased this right-hand drive XK150 Coupé from classic-car dealer Royle Hepworth Ltd, of Poole-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire in October 1984. Accompanying documentation includes the relevant sales invoice plus another for a general refurbishment and re-spray in Jaguar Indigo Blue carried out prior to shipment to Germany in November 1984. We are advised that while in the current ownership the car has been looked after by official Jaguar dealer Krumey, of Mülheim (currently Krumey & Gilles), work undertaken by them having included replacing the wire wheels and exhaust system, and fitting an overhauled exchange engine (circa 1995). The car is offered with German registration papers/TüV and old-style Swansea V5 (issued September 1981) recording one Simon Blackwell, of Lytham St Annes as its last owner in the UK.