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 valuable lessons
acquired 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 significant improvements in
breathing, achieved through triple S.U. carburetors, a revised
intake manifold, and a high-flow cylinder head. It also featured
revised engine bearings and an uprated clutch and flywheel for
added durability, which was necessary for reaching its top speed of
130 mph 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. This car was delivered new to
Jaguar Cars of New York in very late 1958 or early 1959. Fully
loaded with overdrive, it was delivered in the colors it wears
today, British Racing Green with a Tan interior. Although the early
history of the car beyond its delivery is not recorded, we do know
that by 1986, the car was in the possession of Pong Arkon of
Vienna, Virginia. Shortly thereafter, it was acquired by the noted
collector Joel Finn. The following year it was sent to Bassett's
Jaguar in Wyoming, Rhode Island for a comprehensive restoration,
for which bills are on file totaling more than $24,000- a
substantial sum for a restoration of an XK at that time. Further
service records include a thorough mechanical overhaul in September
1998 for $13,582. After a quarter of a century with its past keeper
it was purchased by the most recent owner, who has serviced the car
and driven it sparingly, covering only 300 kilometers (the
speedometer having been converted to a metric unit) in the last
seven years. At some point in its life its original engine was
uprated with a 3.8 block. It appears to retain its original
cylinder head, which carries the numerical suffix the car
originally had '1636-9', buthas been modified to include a 3.8S
'VAS' prefix. With the added boost of a larger capacity 3.8 engine,
and the benefit of its as-equipped overdrive, it offers a great
package for fast road touring. Accompanying items include an
operating/service handbook, spare wheel/tire, roadside jack and
factory grease gun - all housed within the correctly finished boot.
Documents on file include a corresponding Jaguar Daimler Heritage
Trust certificate, restoration photos, and a binder of restoration
and service receipts. Jaguar produced approximately 800 XK150 S OTS
roadsters, and this car is one of just 72 left-drive 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/7617-1959-jaguar-xk150s-roadster/
