Highlights
- One of the lastXK150 FHCs built in smart red colour scheme
- Extensive £40,000 restoration by XK specialists Twyford Motors
- Work included uprating engine to ‘one of fastest 3.4Ls in UK’
- Tremec 5spd manual gearbox with competition clutch
- Converted to negative earth with alternator set up
- Recent new carpets, sound deadening, classic-style DAB radio and uprated heater
- New engine oil seals, clutch relined and engine bay repainted
The Appeal
If your classic motoring tastes are all about long drives, perhaps a European classic car rally or holiday or two, then you want Jaguar’s magnificent XK. And ideally, the final XK150 that dialled up the performance and luxury.
These spacious, comfortable and practical coupes make light work of long distances, particularly as here when they have been sympathetically upgraded. This car was one of the last FHCs off the line - just 89 cars would follow it - and was extensively restored by specialist JKenny some years ago, resulting in the bright red colour scheme.
More recently £40,000 was invested in the car via XK specialists Twyford Motors resulting in what the vendor describes as ‘one of the fastest 3.4L XKs in the country.’ The work included a full engine rebuild featuring reboring and honing, new pistons and rings, uprated and balanced crank shaft and con rods. The car was also fitted with a Tremec 5spd gearbox and competition clutch to deliver a more engaging and long-legged driving experience. There is also a Kenlowe fan and electric choke conversion.
The vendor acquired the car in September 2016 after this work and has continued to improve it using specialist IK Classics of Holmfirth. It has new carpets and sound deadening, a classic-style HMC radio with Bluetooth and DAB and uprated heater. Following a trip to Le Mans the engine was removed and fitted with new oil seals. The clutch was relined and the opportunity taken to repaint the engine bay.
With its vast history file, impressive provenance and very smart condition, this is a highly usable Xk150 with the right modifications.
The vendor says:
“Superb reliable drivers car capable of shocking much later vehicles with an exceptional turn of pace and acceleration. Its a car that has provided immense pleasure and will be sadly missed but we are moving to Spain and need to scale back in the UK.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 19th September 1960
- Chassis number S825280DN
- Original UK RHD car with ‘SE’ specification and MOD gearbox
- 89th from last RHD FHC built
- DVLA records show one previous keeper
- Total number of keepers may be higher due to DVLA record keeping
- Current keeper since September 2016
- Extensive history file as shown in photos
- JDHT heritage certificate shown in photos
- Originally supplied in Pearl Grey to Manchester with MOD gearbox
- Older restoration by JKenny according to seller resulting in red paintwork
- £40,000 of work by XK specialist Twyford Motors 2012 to 2015 summarised below
- Ongoing work by current keeper using IK Classics in Holmfirth summarised below
Work by Twyford Motors:
- Engine rebuild
- Engine rebore and honing
- New pistons and rings
- Uprated and balanced crank and con rod
- Tremec 5spd manual gearbox
Maintenance highlights since vendor acquired car:
- New carpets
- Replacement sound deadening
- HMV classic-style radio by Tadpole Radios with Bluetooth and DAB
- Engine removed and engine bay repainted
- New engine oil seals
- Clutch relined
The Condition
- Smart red paintwork applied following older professional restoration by JKenny
- Paintwork presents very well with bright, polished and generally even finish
- Few indications of age or deterioration to note in photos
- There is a small area of deterioration around nearside front market light plinth
- Chrome wire wheels in good order with classic-style tyres
- Underside presents well in photos with no issues reported by seller
- Bright chromework in good order with bumpers front and rear presenting well
- Red leather interior with some light but characterful patination to note
- Red carpets recently replaced and fitted with new sound deadening
- Fitted with inertia reel seatbelts from SNG Barratt
- Classic-style HMV radio with Bluetooth and DAB functionality
The final Xk150 FHC was a clever refresh of the original XK120 design. It add chrome and extra touches of luxury that make them very distinctive classic touring cars.
With its bright red paintwork and matching leather interior, this is a well specified and eye-catching example. The paintwork was applied some years ago but you would not know, such are the light signs of use.
Inside the cabin leather wears a gentle patina that arguably adds character to this most charismatic of classic. It is in very good order, helped by new carpets, and features useful modern updates like inertia reel seatbelts, uprated heater and a classic-style HMV radio with Bluetooth and DAB functionality.
The Mechanics
- 3.4L straight six XK engine
- 5spd Tremec manual gearbox
- Competition clutch with lining recently replaced
- Converted to negative earth with alternator
- Extensive history file of work by well regarded specialists
- Engine rebuilt by Twyford Motors, XK specialist with upgrades listed above
- Engine bay recently repainted
- New engine oil seals
- Vendor states car is ‘Mechanically excellent and capable of effortless cruising at motorway speeds’
The FHC XK150 was conceived by Sir William Lyons as a GT for munching miles, particularly in its target market of the USA. It achieved that admirably, but with the modern motoring goalposts moved along, there are many ways to keep your XK150 up to date.
Sympathetic improvements make the XK150 perfectly suited to long distance, high speed motoring and this car benefits from many of them. The engine was rebuilt over three years and at a cost of £40,000 by specialist Twyford Motors. This work is listed above and results in what the vendor describes as ‘one of the fastest 3.4L XKs in the UK.’ The car also has a Tremec 5spd manual gearbox to make high speed motoring more relaxing. A competition clutch further enhances the specification.
Since the vendor acquired the car it has had the engine removed and the engine bay repainted. The oil seals were replaced and the clutch relined. During his tenure it has been maintained by IK Classics in Holmfirth and the history file, with highlights in the photos, attests to the ongoing care and attention.
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