Lot details
Registration No: VYR 764
Chassis No: T820007DN
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- The 7th righthand drive Roadster to be made and 48,300 recorded miles

- Offered with a collection of old MOTs, invoices, dialogue of the restoration and Heritage certificate.

- Extensive restoration in the 1990s by Goldsmith & Young of Warminster

- Long term previous ownership, unleaded conversion and Coopercraft front brakes

By the time the XK150 was launched in May 1957, Jaguar had won Le Mans four times and was about to do so once again - what a backdrop against which to market a new sports car. Though the newcomer was a logical progression of the XK140, subtle changes to the bodywork gave this final iteration of the XK models a distinctly more modern air. The standard engine was the 3.4-litre DOHC straight six unit of the XK140, but most early 150s were fitted with the optional SE version that sported a cylinder head with larger exhaust valves and a pair of 1.75in SU carburettors. Still more power was available from 1958 in the form of the 'S' engine and its straight-port head linked to three SUs, for which 250bhp was claimed. By the time the model was superseded by the E-Type some 4,445 Fixed Head Coupes, 2,672 Drop Head Coupes and 2,265 Open Two Seaters had been produced.

This exquisite 150 is possibly the first S version to be constructed and is certainly understood to be only the 7th righthand drive Roadster to leave the factory on the 4th December 1958 to Henlys of London. The first owner was a MR JHL Copper and its then understood to have been acquired by its long term previous keeper a Mr Murdoch Laing - initially of London but later Ross-shire, Scotland. 'VYR 764' was apparently treated to an extensive restoration of engine, bodywork and interior in the 1990s but, unhappy about the way it was progressing, Mr Laing had the task completed by Goldsmith & Young of Warminster. At some stage in the past the block has been replaced with a larger 3.8-litre unit, although it still retains the original triple carb head (no. VS1634-9) which has been modified to run on unleaded fuel and has been fitted with Coopercraft brakes. The vendor acquired the Jaguar in 2011, and presently considers the bodywork, paintwork, Tan leather interior, straight-six engine and four-speed manual transmission to all be in 'very good' condition. This rare and highly desirable XK is currently displaying (an unwarranted) 48,300 miles and is now being sold complete with collection of old MOTs and invoices, dialogue of the restoration and Heritage certificate.