Formerly the property of '10cc' founding member and guitarist Eric Stewart
1959 Jaguar XK150 'S' 3.8-Litre Coupé

Body no. J 10732

• Matching numbers including the registration
• Professionally restored between 1997 and 2003
• Numerous desirable upgrades
• Present family ownership since 2008
• Well documented and maintained

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 9,396 cars, of which only 115 were right-hand drive fixed-head coupés like this example.

Representing the XK150 in its ultimate configuration, with the 3.8-litre 'S' engine and overdrive gearbox, right-hand drive chassis number 'T825120DN' was manufactured on 9th December 1959 and first registered on 11th January 1960. Distributed via P J Evans Ltd of Birmingham, the car is known to have had at least four owners in the UK - including Jeremy Broad of Broadspeed, who raced it - before being exported to France in June 1979 (full list on file).

Owned since 1979 by one Dr. Didier Bourdas, the car was found in France in 1997 by XK enthusiast Eric Stewart, guitarist and one of the founding members of the rock band '10cc'. The vendor's father purchased the car from Eric Stewart in 2008. When found by Mr Stewart, the bodywork and interior were shabby and the engine had seen better days, but the car was all original and well worth a 'ground upwards' restoration. It was brought back to the UK and taken to Marina Garages, the Bournemouth Jaguar specialists, who started the restoration in 1997. The engine was sent to Les Trafford, the Jaguar engine specialist in Tewksbury, and he set about a total rebuild, including upgrading the valve seats to make it lead-free compatible.

In the meantime, Marina Garage had stripped out the interior, and the body and chassis were sent to Downton Engineering in Christchurch for restoration. The body was taken off the chassis and all poor metalwork was cut out and replaced, before undercoating and respraying the chassis in black and painting the body Old English White.

The XK was then returned to Marina where the engine was refitted, and all ancillary parts including the brakes, steering, fuel tank, wiring loom, etc were refurbished or replaced. The cooling system was overhauled, with the addition of a Cambridge Sports alloy radiator (the original Jaguar radiator has been kept). All brightwork was re-chromed or replaced with original Jaguar parts, and a new set of 5Jx16 black enamel wire wheels was fitted. The interior was then completely retrimmed in black leather with matching carpets and cream headlining, and the steering wheel replaced. Other upgrades made since 2008 include a new set of 6Jx16 chromed wire wheels, a dynator; EZ electric power steering; stainless steel exhaust system; 4-pot brake callipers (from SNG Barrett); period-correct seat belts; and a fire extinguisher. The result of these upgrades is a car more driveable and a pleasure to be in.

Two large files of history accompany the car, listing all servicing, repairs and parts purchased stretching back to 1979 together with noted mileage totals (close inspection recommended). Original and other components offered with the car include the black-painted wire wheels; radiator; steering wheel; and a small quantity of spares. The XK also comes with a Jaguar Heritage Certificate and V5C document. In short: this XK150 'S' has been sensibly upgraded for driveability, with well documented past history and presented in Very good condition throughout.