Vehicle Description
Introduced in May 1957, the highly refined XK150 built on Jaguar's
rich heritage, including the ground-breaking XK120 and evolutionary
XK140 before it, marking the third and final evolution of the
brilliant original XK-series sports cars from Jaguar. While bearing
a strong familial resemblance to its predecessors, the XK150 was
slightly wider and featured cleaner styling with a higher and more
subtle beltline replacing the trendy cut-down doors characteristic
of the XK120 and XK140. A wider grille element improved engine
cooling and a modern, one-piece curved windscreen provided improved
forward visibility. At launch, the XK150 was available in both
Fixed Head (FHC) and Drophead Coupe (DHC) body styles, with the
Open Two-Seater (Roadster) following them to market by March 1958.
From the start, Jaguar consistently applied the many lessons to be
gained from competition to its sporting road cars, which steadily
grew in their performance and sophistication. In a clear case of
racing improving the breed, the XK150 was Jaguar's first road model
to be equipped with Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes, which were
crucial to the company's second Le Mans victory with the XK-derived
C-Type sports racer in 1953. Servo-assisted brakes were standard
for the road-going XK150, providing heightened driving ease. Until
late 1959, Jaguar's already-legendary XK DOHC inline 'six' powered
the XK150 in 3.4-liter form with a stout 190-bhp rating in standard
tune or 210-bhp in "SE" spec with dual exhaust. Performance was
significantly heightened with the legendary 'S' specification,
discreetly announced by stylized chrome emblems to the doors just
below the windshield frame. Jaguar rated the XK150 S 3.4 at an
impressive 250-horsepower thanks to significantly improved
breathing with triple S.U. carburetors, a revised intake manifold,
and high-flow cylinder head. It also featured revised engine
bearings and an uprated clutch and flywheel for additional
durability necessitated by the 130 mph top end. While the XK150 was
designed strictly as a fast, GT-oriented road car without racing
pretentions, its competition heritage was peerless, including
Jaguar's victories at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951,
1953, and 1955-57 with the XK120, C-Type, and D-Type. A few
committed privateers campaigned the XK150 to good effect, including
the GT-class win at the 1960 Tulip Rally and fast-rising American
driver Walt Hansgen's creditable third-place podium finish at
Bridgehampton in June 1960. This beautiful example of Jaguar's
high-performance XK150S features the sportiest Roadster body style,
or the Open Two Seater (OTS) configuration in Jaguar parlance. As
offered, it continues to benefit most handsomely from a superb
restoration, completed in 2010 by the marque experts at XK's
Unlimited of San Luis Obispo, California. Sporting its excellent
and original color combination of black paint over red leather
upholstery, this compelling XK150S is a former high-scoring JCNA
show car that has been enjoyed by the prior owner as originally
intended and tuned and maintained by the respected professionals at
British Auto Repair in Scottsdale. Power is delivered by the
original, numbers-matching 3.4-litre 'S' inline-six, which is
highly detailed and equipped with triple SU carburetors and backed
by an updated 5-speed manual gearbox. Accompanying items include a
spare wheel/tire, roadside jack and factory grease gun - all housed
within the correctly finished trunk compartment. Documents on file
include a corresponding Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate,
restoration photos, and stacks of restoration and service receipts.
For the purist, the correct four-speed gearbox is also included.
Jaguar produced approximately 800 XK150 S OTS roadsters, and this
car is one of just left-drive 72 US market examples built in 1959.
This sporting icon represents one of the ultimate expressions of
the classic Jaguar 'XK' sports car line which set the stage for the
E-Type to follow. As such, it stands as a superb pick for classic
rallies, touring events, and open-air, fast-road enjoyment. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7238-1959-jaguar-xk150s/