1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4-Litre Drophead Coupé

Registration No: 560 XVP
Chassis No: S837225
MOT: July 2026

• Comprehensively restored between 1998 and 2000 by Robinson & Godwin to the sum of £35,000
• In current family ownership (father and son) since 1998
• Uprated with Coopercraft brakes, power steering, and electronic ignition
• Enjoyed on numerous Jaguar club rallies, European tours, and even a tour of the southern states of America since the restoration's completion!

PLEASE NOTE: This lot has been fitted with XJS seats in recent times; however, the original seats were placed into the car for the photographs. The vendor has not properly fitted these in time for the sale, and the XJS ones are back in the car. The original style seats are included in the sale.

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 split windscreen was replaced with a single sweep of toughened glass and the scuttle height was raised, along with the waistline. The bonnet was widened and the bulkhead on the Roadster was moved rearwards by four inches. Inside, the walnut dashboard of the XK140 was replaced by one trimmed in leather. Thinner doors gave more interior space. 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 1¾in. 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. The XK150 was also the first production Jaguar to be equipped with disc brakes. At launch, the XK150 was offered in Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) and Drophead Coupé (DHC) guises, the Open Two-Seater Roadster (OTS) following in 1958. By the time the model was superseded by the E-Type, some 4,445 FHCs, 2,672 DHCs and 2,265 OTSs had been produced.

Beautifully restored almost thirty years ago, this lovely 3.4-litre XK150 has been cherished ever since and still presents very well. Manufactured on January 7th, 1958, and painted Cotswold Blue with Dark Blue trim and a Blue hood, it was despatched on February 14th to Jaguar Cars New York. Nothing further is known until the 1990s, when it was bought and reimported “in a sorry state” by The Carriage Company of Bedfordshire. Our vendor’s father bought it in 1998 as “a complete body plus eleven boxes of bits” for £18,000, and commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Jaguar specialists Robinson & Godwin. The work ran from 1998 to 2000 and cost in the region of £35,000.

The enormous programme of works included bodywork restoration, in which any corrosion or panel deformities were treated and eliminated, new panels were fitted as necessary, and the car was resprayed with a period-correct cellulose paint. All the chromed parts that were required to be replated were replated, and replacements were sourced for any unsalvageable items. It was decided to fit a later type of rear lights. While the engine was stripped, the cylinder head was converted for unleaded fuel and a +0.040in. rebore was undertaken with new pistons installed. A replacement oil pump and relief valve, new timing chains and hydraulic tensioner, and a replacement distributor drive were fitted. The carburettors were dismantled and refurbished, while the gearbox was completely overhauled with all-new bearings, seals, gaskets, synchro springs and balls, and a reconditioned overdrive unit was installed. A new clutch was fitted, the propeller shaft was shortened for the overdrive and balanced, and the rear axle received all-new bearings and seals. Some missing wedges under the rear springs were replaced, and the upper part of the steering column was overhauled. Concerning the brakes, the pipes were renewed, the master cylinder was replaced, all the callipers were resleeved and each wheel cylinder got new seals and dust covers. The fuel system received a new tank, pump and lines, and the electrics were taken care of with a new wiring loom, each individual electric unit being either replaced or overhauled. Finally the interior was completely reupholstered and the hood was renewed. The rear seats were replaced with a locking storage compartment, and the boot was modified with hydraulic rams for ease of opening.

Following the completion of the restoration, the vendor’s father greatly enjoyed the XK150 on many Jaguar club runs, tours of Europe, and even one tour of the southern United States, and it has always been garaged when not being driven. Over the course of its use, the car has been further upgraded to an even more enhanced specification, receiving Coopercraft disc brakes, power steering from M. & C. Wilkinson, and electronic ignition. In 2017, the gearbox was once again overhauled with a new layshaft, bearings and synchro hubs, the work being completed by the Big Cat Garage.

The XK was last in regular use in 2019, and in 2022 it was fully serviced and custody transferred to the then-owner’s son, our vendor. Since then, it has continued to be maintained, with MOTs in 2023 and 2025, even though the car was covering no more than fifty miles a year. Both tests were passed with no advisories, and the present test remains valid until July. We were pleased to observe that it ran and drove very well during our photography session. A very attractive and clearly highly useable example of its breed, this XK150 is sold with paperwork including the V5C, a JDHT certificate, many MOT certificates, sales literature, and multiple invoices for the restoration and subsequent servicing and improvements.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452