1959 Jaguar XK150 DHC 3.8

Highlights

  • Engine upgraded to 3.8 S spec
  • Heritage certificate
  • Comprehensive history file
  • EZ electric power steering
  • c.£50k spent on refurbishment and upgrades in the last ten years

The Appeal

 
In drophead coupe form, the XK150 makes for the quintessential grand tourer, and that’s precisely the purpose of this lovely example. With a fabulous lipstick-red interior and an engine upgrade to 3.8 S spec, this is a car with a lot of history and a lot to offer.

 The last owner purchased the car from the renowned specialist Hyman in St Louis, Missouri in 2015 for the sum of $162,500, and imported it to the UK. In Hyman’s sales literature at the time, they described the Jaguar thus: ‘the car has received a ground-up nut-and-bolt restoration to exceptional standards of fit, finish and function… everything has been done to standards appropriate to a high quality concours restoration.’

 This owner then set about taking this delectable machine to giddy new heights, addressing everything they thought needed addressing on what must have been a no-expense-spared basis: £6,262 was spent on works at Winspeed Motorsport, then a further £37,076 at West Riding Jaguar Specialists, followed by another £6,027 at Twyford Moors. It’s fair to say that this approach bordered on the obsessive, and the result is a beautifully presented XK150 in very impressive condition, that’s thoroughly enjoyable to drive.
 

 

The History and Paperwork

  • V5
  • Heritage certificate
  • 2015 – bill of sale from Hyman Ltd - $162,500
  • 2016 – West Riding Independent Ltd – invoices for £37,076 for comprehensive rebuild, engine work, door glass, lamp lenses, electrical work, etc
  • Winspeed Motorsport – invoices for £6,262
  • 2017 - CE Moore Coachtrimmers - £720 – attention to mohair hood
  • 2022 – Twyford Moors - £6,027 – carb overhaul, new steering column, track rod ends, etc



The Condition

  • Old English White coachwork
  • Red leather trim

Presented in Old English White, this highly impressive XK looks positively statuesque on its chrome wire wheels and gleaming chrome trim. It’s evident that a lot of attention has been paid to the finer details, as we find no issues with the light lenses, window glass, badging or trim, everything is present and correct and in good condition. As part of the refurbishment at West Riding Independent Ltd in 2016, the car was treated to new door glass, bonnet buffers, wing vent gauzes, locks, mirrors, and much more besides.

 The interior is a riot of colour in contrast to the sober exterior, with the red leather trim in very good order throughout, the front seats tilting correctly to allow access to the rear stowage, and the carpets in tidy condition. There’s a Moto-Lita steering wheel ahead of an unmarked dash, and the car is fitted with a retro-style Bluetooth head unit (which operates the electric aerial when switched on and off). The mohair roof is easy to raise, affix and lower, is in great condition, and comes complete with a tonneau cover with tasteful red piping.

 Inside the boot it’s all dry and tidy, with a good carpet, spare wire wheel, spinner mallet, and grease gun.
 


The Mechanics

  • Engine rebuilt to S specification
  • XJ6-type automatic transmission
  • EZ electric power steering

The 2016 rebuild at West Riding Independent Ltd was thorough and comprehensive. The engine received an S-spec head and a later-type 3.4 block which was bored out to 3.8-litres, along with upgraded crankshaft and rods, new timing gear, new valves, later XJ6-type cams, and rebuilt carburettors.

The transmission is now a later XJ6-type floor-shift auto, the suspension and rear axle were all rebuilt, and an EZ power steering system fitted. As for the electrics, the car has been modified to negative earth, and the dual 6v batteries converted to a single 12v with rewiring to suit. The brakes were upgraded to a Zelis disc setup, and the cooling was improved to incorporate an aluminium radiator and electric fan.

More recently, when the car was at Twyford Moors in 2022, the carbs were again rebuilt, and the steering system received a refurbished column, new rack mounts and safety strap, as well as new track rod ends, choke switch and lower column universal joint. The result is a car which feels solid and dependable – it fires readily on the button, idles evenly, maintains good temperatures in traffic, and pulls with gusto through the revs. The brakes feel strong and it rides well on its suspension. On the whole, a very well sorted Jag indeed.
 


Summary

 
The appeal of this delightful Jaguar speaks for itself. Mechanically robust, supremely stylish, very enjoyable to drive – it’s a car that looks outstanding, and drives as well as it looks. There’s a sizeable history file here to back up the Jaguar’s credentials, and a huge amount of time, money and love has been invested to get it to the condition it’s in today. Truly a desirable example of this iconic classic.
 
 BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies. 
A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing. 
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery. 


Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1958
  • Make Jaguar
  • Model XK150
  • Colour White
  • Odometer 38,353 Miles
  • Engine size 3800
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Trade
  • Town Wandsworth
  • Location London
  • Country United Kingdom
Message C&C Auction Team

The Gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.