Lot Ended
Description
Rare S spec Roadster; current owner 18 years; under 6,000 miles since
major restoration with various upgrades including 5-speed gearbox
and tuned 4.2 engine; uprated brakes and suspension; a fabulous
example of this beautiful British sportscar
Outstanding motorcars by any standards, the three XK models from
the William Lyons stable remained in production for 13 years and simply got
better as time went on. Last of the line was the XK150 of 1957, safer, faster
and roomier than the XK140 it replaced. Available in roadster, drophead and
fixed-head coupe form, it was powered by the race-proven 3.4-litre XK engine
from the 140 but now with 190bhp and more torque thanks to a revised cylinder
head design.
In the Spring of 1958 a
high-performance ‘S’ version of the 150 was launched, now with triple SU carbs,
a straight port head and numerous other tweaks that boosted power to a claimed
250bhp. When tested by Motor magazine, a 3.4S could reach 60mph in 7.8 seconds
with a top speed of 132mph. In 1960 the engine was enlarged to 3.8-litres and in
this form the S version now pumped out 265bp and could sprint to 60mph in 7
seconds and top 135mph.
The XK150 remained in
production until November 1960 by which time some 9,396 had been built of which
just 2,265 were Roadsters. It is not clear how many of these were ‘S’ spec
models but it was certainly only a very small proportion, making this car a rare
beast indeed.
As the Heritage Certificate
confirms, this XK150S 3.4 Roadster was built in July 1958 and was originally
Pearl Grey with a black interior and manual overdrive transmission. A LHD model
destined for the American market, it was first owned by RS MacMillan of
California.
Nothing is known of the car’s
subsequent history but it was imported back to the UK in 1993 and then had one
owner until 2000 when it was acquired by a gentleman in Wiltshire who spent
around £60k on the car over the next three years, according to correspondence on
file.
There is certainly a huge file of
invoices from 2000 onwards indicating a very substantial mechanical overhaul
including a complete new wiring loom; electronic ignition; Kenlowe fan;
stainless steel exhaust system etc. It seems that the car needed very little
attention to the bodywork, no doubt due to a life spent in sunny
California.
In 2001/02 the car was sent to CKL
Developments for some choice upgrades which included a 5-speed Getrag gearbox;
uprated brakes; Broadsport adjustable suspension; solid mounted steering rack;
3.54:1 ratio back axle; rebuilt limited slip diff; 15”x6” Aston Martin DB6
pattern stainless steel wire wheels shod with a matching set of
Pirelli P4000 tyres; recalibrated instruments; battery cut-off switch; remote
battery charging points etc.
The engine
is a 4.2 triple carb unit which was also fully rebuilt and rolling road tuned,
the dyno sheets showing an impressive 271bhp and 322lb/ft of torque (a standard
E-Type 4.2 only produces around 220bhp although Jaguar claimed 265bhp). The
original cylinder head was retained and converted to run on unleaded petrol.
Other invoices show that the interior, with its sporting bucket seats, was
retrimmed by Hamptons Coachtrimming of Wolverhampton in
2004.
Our vendor acquired the XK from CMC
of Bridgnorth in 2005, the car being fully serviced and checked over by them
prior to sale with a 12-month warranty. In 2021/22 the bodywork was smartened up
and repainted as required by Fisher Restoration of Droitwich at a cost of around
£12,300.
It would seem from the MOT history
that the odometer was reset at the time of the CKL rebuild and the car has only
covered 5,876 miles since. Well-maintained in the current 18-year ownership,
the XK has been Carcoon stored and used in fine weather only, the
vendor reporting that it has proved very reliable and goes very well
indeed.
As you can see in the photos, it looks
absolutely fantastic with excellent panel gaps and brightwork and gleaming black
paintwork. The vendor's wife is keen to point out that it even has a Louis
Vuitton key fob! Driven some 20 miles to the sale on a very hot day, it has been
starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on
site.
The XK150S Roadster is not only the
best-looking of all the XK variants but it is also one of the rarest and top
examples have fetched eye-watering sums at auction in the past – well over twice
the guide price suggested here. Okay, this one might not be a ‘matching numbers’
machine but the upgrades it has received are all in keeping with the Jaguar
tradition and you can be sure that it will perform even better now than it did
when it first left the factory 65 years ago.
We have sold a lot of XKs
over the years and this black beauty is right up there among the very
best of them.
For more information contact
James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com