1959 Jaguar XK150 'S' 3.4 Roadster

A progressive development of the sensational XK120 and XK140, the XK150 retained the same basic chassis, 3.4-litre engine and four-speed Moss transmission of its predecessors but, partly due to the growing US demand for more comfortable and refined sports cars, benefitted from an entirely new body providing increased interior space and improved visibility courtesy of a single-piece wrap-around windscreen. 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; at last 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 (OTS) version not appearing until the following year.

At 190bhp, the engine's maximum power output was identical to that of the XK140, so performance was little changed, but ‘Special Equipment' and 'S' versions offered 210 and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. This improvement in performance resulted from the adoption of a Weslake-developed, straight-port cylinder head, high-compression pistons, triple 2” SU carburettors and twin electric fuel pumps. Overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox were the transmission options, the latter becoming an increasingly popular choice, whilst a Thornton ‘Power-Lok’ limited-slip differential was available for the 150S. Steel wheels remained the standard fitting although XK150s so equipped are a great rarity as most were sold in SE (Special Equipment) form with centre-lock wire wheels. The much-admired chromed Jaguar Mascot was made available as an optional extra on an XK for the first time.

In the early months of production, the vast majority of XK150S 3.4-litre Roadsters were headed for the USA in order to fulfil bulging order books, as is the case with T832078DN, on offer here. Its Heritage Certificate confirms that it was built in left-hand drive, fitted with a manual gearbox with overdrive and finished in Gloss Black with a red leather interior prior to being shipped in April 1959 to Jaguar Cars, New York and onwards to its first American owner.

We imagine that the Jaguar led an exciting life for the following 34 years and next reappeared in 1993 when it was imported into Australia by Sydney Businessman, Mark Hayward, who was looking for a sound car that he could restore with the clear intention of winning multiple Concours in Australia.

The comprehensive history file and photographic record of the restoration show exactly the extent and level of resource ploughed into this stunning XK150S Roadster with costs of around £100,000 at the time (c.£300,000 in today's terms). UK-based, XK Engineering were involved in the procurement and shipping of parts and there are reams of invoices and correspondence with everyone involved from Abbott Australasia PTY.LTD., O&S Sports Car Restorations and Gavin King’s 'Concours Sportscars Restorations'. All concerned were made aware that only the best would do and the exacting restoration and conversion to right-hand drive took until Easter 1994 to complete. The fact that the car still remains capable of Concours success, is testament to the standard achieved. There followed years of involvement in National Concours d'Elegance competitions attaining many 'Outright Winner' placings including a number of 100 Point scores (Perfect) suggesting that the Jaguar was rated as amongst the finest examples of the marque to be viewed anywhere in the world.

T832078DN returned to England in 2013 and was purchased by our vendor, an XK enthusiast who was looking for a special example that presented well but was enjoyable to drive on Tours and long trips. During his ownership he has competed in various events which included the 2013 Arctic Circle, the 2016 Targa Florio and the Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial. The brief to his engine builder was to build a totally reliable engine to do these events with the work entrusted in 2013 to Steven James Engineering and Martin Hunniball specialist machining. The result of the full rebuild of the matching numbers engine today is still perfect oil pressure and lusty clean performance.  It's now time for a new owner to enjoy this very special, well-historied XK150S Roadster and, at this this guide, it must surely be irresistible.