One of only 36 examples

1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8-Litre Roadster

Footnotes

"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-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 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 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 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. 'Special Equipment' and 'S' versions came with 210 and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 215km/h. This was achieved by the introduction of the 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, while a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential was available for the XK150S. Steel wheels remained the standard fitting, though XK150s so equipped are a great rarity, as most were sold in SE (Special Equipment) specification 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 autumn of 1959, the XK150 became available with the 3.8-litre engine first seen in the Mark IX saloon. 'Standard' (220bhp) or 'S' (265bhp) states of tune were offered (the latter featuring overdrive as standard) and in either form the XK150's increased weight was more than offset by the power of the larger engine, the car regularly recording in excess of 200km/h in magazine road tests.

A very late example, completed in November 1960, this XK150 is one of only 36 examples of the 3.8-litre open roadster built in left-hand drive configuration, and is the second-from-last car by chassis number (the sequence ended at '832173'). Meaning it is the second to last (by chassis number) XK to leave the Jaguar factory between 1948 and 1961 in existence. Extremely rare, it is a Special Equipment model equipped with the optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive, which makes for comfortable high-speed cruising. Delivered new in 'Carmen Red' over black interior, as presented today, '832171' spent much of its life in Texas, USA with one former owner, Alan Cruce, who kept the XK for more than 20 years. Following Mr Cruce's departure to undertake pilot training, the car was rarely used. Many years later the Jaguar was purchased by its current owner and shipped to Europe where it was professionally restored. Restoration photos accompanying the car show it being restored from bare metal. We're advised by the vendor that the chassis frame was completely rust free, that the body was in good condition and that during the restoration only minimal bondo and thinning was applied. The vendor advises us that the car retains its original engine and gearbox. Hardly driven since the 2000-hour plus restoration, the car is still in excellent condition today. '832171' comes with Croatian registration documents.

With only 36 built, this left-hand drive XK150 3.8 Roadster represents a wonderful opportunity to own one of the marque's rarest variants; in Special Equipment specification and boasting a matching-numbers engine and factory overdrive.