From the collection of the late Peter de Savary
1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8-Litre 'S' Coupé

• One of only 115 right-hand drive XK150 'S' 3.8-litre fixed-head coupés
• Overdrive transmission
• Only five recorded owners from new
• Engine (unleaded compatible) and gearbox rebuilt in 2003
• Sensibly upgraded

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 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 version not appearing until the following year. At 190bhp, the engine's maximum power output in standard trim was identical to that of the XK140 so performance was little changed. 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 XK150 'S'. 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 130mph in magazine road tests. The 3.8-litre 'S' is one of the rarest of the family with only 282 built out of a total XK150 production of 9,395 cars.
Representing the XK150 in its ultimate configuration, with the 3.8-litre engine and overdrive gearbox, this rare 'S' fixed-head coupé was supplied to its first owner, a Mr Douglass Growcott, by Henlys of London on 23rd March 1960. The car is recorded in Anders Ditlev Clausager's definitive book on the Jaguar XK150 as being the 71st of a total production run of only 115 right-hand drive cars. It is also one of only five cars finished in black with a red interior.
This XK150 has had only five recorded owners from new: the third acquiring '660 NPJ' in 1965 and keeping the car some 35 years until 2000, and the fourth keeping it for the next 18 years. The late Peter de Savary purchased the XK at Bonhams' Bond Street sale in December 2018 (Lot 28). There are MoT certificates on file dating back to 1984 showing the then indicated mileage as 71,442, while virtually continuous subsequent MoTs confirm the mileage as 82,028 when purchased in 2018. Mr de Savary used the car fairly regularly.
In 2003 the engine and gearbox were rebuilt, the former incorporating an unleaded cylinder head conversion, and the car has also been the subject of considerable expenditure to maintain it in its present beautiful condition. Improvements to the original specification include the fitting of power steering; upgraded brakes; electric fan; alternator conversion; inertia seat belts; and a 12-volt battery installation. Prior to its sale in 2018 the car was checked through by the leading XK specialists, Twyford Moors, who during the process completely rebuilt the front suspension incorporating a Polybush upgrade to further improve the handling. Recent works have included fitting a new fuel tank and attention to the brake pipes and ball joints (Twyford Moors receipts on file).
This is a matching-numbers car with a mechanical overdrive, rarely seen on these XKs. Fitted with virtually new chrome wire wheels and Vredestein radial tyres, '660 NPJ', with its subtle upgrades, is said to be a delight to drive; the experience being enhanced by one of the smoothest gearboxes one is likely to find in any XK.
In addition to various invoices for works undertaken, the accompanying file contains Jaguar handbooks; the original buff logbook; a current V5C registration document; and a Heritage Certificate confirming its production numbers and current registration. Very nicely turned out and 'on the button', '660 NPJ' represents a wonderful opportunity for the serious Jaguar collector to acquire a rare example of one of the most powerful limited-production XKs manufactured by Jaguar Cars.