1958 Jaguar XK150S 3.4 Roadster

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