1960 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coupe

3,442cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
190bhp at 5,500rpm
3-Speed BorgWarner Automatic Transmission
Front Wishbone with Torsion Bars and Rear Live-Axle with Half-Elliptical Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes

*A rarely seen, automatic equipped example
*Elegant black over red color scheme
*Comfortable fixed-head motoring
*Eligible for numerous wonderful events


THE JAGUAR XK150

"The Jaguar XK150 is undeniably one of the world's fastest and safest cars. It is quiet and exceptionally refined mechanically, docile and comfortable... we do not know of any more outstanding example of value for money." -The Autocar

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-liter engine and 4-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 drop head coupe forms, the open Roadster version not appearing until the following year. The chassis remained much as before, as did the 3.4-liter, XK, six-cylinder engine that produced 190bhp as 'standard' which was identical to its XK140 predecessor. Additionally, the XK could receive a bump in power to 210bhp when fitted with the 'B'-type cylinder head. 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.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Produced in Jaguar's Coventry workshops in July of 1959, this left-hand drive XK150 Fixed Head Coupe was ordered new with the BorgWarner 3-speed automatic, as specified by the 'BW' at the end of its chassis number. The early history of this example is yet unknown.

Finished in black over red leather with matching red painted wire wheels and white wall tires, this XK150 has been in the current ownership since November of 2013. Little used in the past nine years, it will require recommissioning prior to active use.

A welcome entrant on any number of wonderful events, once sorted this two-pedal Jag will provide a comfortable, long-legged touring vehicle for those who are both long time enthusiasts and folks just getting into old cars who haven't yet mastered the lost arts of the stick shift...or anyone who just wants to cruise and let the car decide the gear!