Highlights
- Pretty gunmetal grey metallic with black leather
- Verywell maintained with 2014 engine rebuild and recent new starter motor
- One of 150 cars at 2017 Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival selected to drive inside Windsor Castle
- Comprehensive interior refurbishment while preserving original leather
- Converted to manual gearbox with overdrive
- Technical inspection valid to August 2026
The Appeal
The ‘OTS’ Open Top Sports is the car William Lyons original conceived for his new post-war XK and it was the version that achieved the Jabbeke speed records. These beautiful cars are the purest evocation of Lyons’ long, sculptural design.
That is a point proven by this pretty 1959 XK150. Its gunmetal grey paintwork, a popular Jaguar shade, certainly adds to the visual drama, as you can see in the photos. It is perhaps no surprise to learn that it was one of just 150 cars chosen to drive into Windsor Castle as part of the 2017 Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival.
As you can see in the photos, it is in very good order inside and out. The engine was rebuilt following the vendor’s purchase in 2014 and more recently the starter motor was replaced. We’re told that the interior was also refurbished. This work was sympathetically done, carefully preserving the original leather so that none of the car’s character was lost.
Beneath the bonnet is Jaguar’s ‘V’ specification 3.4L straight six. The car left the works with a rare auto box, but is now fitted with the much more appropriate manual gearbox with overdrive. The current technical inspection runs to August 2026. A really fine example of these handsome cars.
The vendor says:
“The car is very pleasant to drive, with smooth gear changes. It handles very well.
“This car stands out for its significant history and, above all, for its mechanical and interior condition. Finding cars from the 1960s with so few owners, including one for 43 years, is now very rare! This is a car that has been looked after and well maintained throughout its life.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1959
- VIN number S831926BW
- Correct ‘V’ prefix 3.4L engine number
- Third LHD OTS XK150 built in 1959
- With current keeper since 2014
- Current technical inspection valid until August 2026
- The engine was rebuilt shortly after the current owner's purchase in 2014
- Member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in England
- Participated in the Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival in 2017
- One of 150 cars selected to drive inside Windsor Castle
- Part of Jaguar Festival 'Jaguars on Film' at Blenheim Palace in May 2019
- Comprehensive interior refurbishment in 2022 with invoice exceeding £3,000
- Currently registered in France with registration number DF-067-SV
- Odometer shows 14,521 miles, though this is not verified due to age and 5 digit readout
The vendor says:
“This Jaguar has been owned by the same owner since 2014. He bought it from a classic car dealer. The car is equipped with OVERDRIVE. Shortly after the sale, the car had an engine problem, so the engine was rebuilt some time after the sale. The current owner is a member of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in England and has participated in several events. He participated in the Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival in 2017. The car was fortunate enough to be one of 150 cars selected to drive inside Windsor Castle. The car was also photographed with Prince Edward. (Photos in the photo folder). It also participated in the Jaguar Festival ‘Jaguars on Film’ in May 2019 at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.”
The Condition
- Popular Opalescent Gunmetal Grey paintwork in very good order as shown
- Paintwork shows light discolouration to driver’s door as shown in photos
- Vendor reports other light imperfections and signs of wear to paintwork
- Bodywork also well kept including flush panel fit, particularly across the doors
- Sits on chrome wire wheels which are in good order
- Other chromework such as bumpers and trim also shows bright and clean
- Interior deliberately preserved in its original condition where possible
- Front seats and rear bench reupholstered while retaining the original leather
- All wood trim was replaced during the refurbishment
- Door pillars and door trim were also replaced as part of the interior work
- Black carpets in fair condition with some wear to driver’s footwell as shown
- Black fabric roof is removable and supplied with matching tonneau as shown
This car is a timely reminder why the unfussy lines of the OTS are arguably the best of the three XK body styles. There is something sculptural about the car's long, flowing bodywork, a sense that is enhanced by this car's gunmetal grey metallic paintwork.
The usual XK bodywork check areas present well on this car. Our photos provide extensive underside details and buyers can note the flush panel fit, particularly across the doors. The chrome is bright and well kept and the removable roof in good order too.
Inside the black leather cabin has been recently refurbished, but sympathetically so. The seats were renovated using the original leather, but other trim items were replaced. It is a blend that works well and ensures this car has a certain level of historic character.
The usual XK bodywork check areas present well on this car. Our photos provide extensive underside details and buyers can note the flush panel fit, particularly across the doors. The chrome is bright and well kept and the removable roof in good order too.
Inside the black leather cabin has been recently refurbished, but sympathetically so. The seats were renovated using the original leather, but other trim items were replaced. It is a blend that works well and ensures this car has a certain level of historic character.
The Mechanics
- XK 3,442cc straight six engine
- 4spd manual gearbox with overdrive
- Originally left the factory with an automatic gearbox, later converted to manual
- Engine and gearbox were recently removed for starter motor replacement
- The vendor states the mechanical condition is "like new" with no imperfections
- Engine was rebuilt shortly after the current owner's purchase in 2014
The current keeper of this car acquired it in 2014 and has clearly both cherished it and invested in it. The engine was rebuilt shortly after purchase and benefits from a more recent starter motor. In place of the original Borg Warner auto box is a more appropriate manual overdrive set up.
The car has been displayed at Windsor and Blenheim Palaces in the UK as part of Jaguar festivals and filming events.
The car has been displayed at Windsor and Blenheim Palaces in the UK as part of Jaguar festivals and filming events.
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