Description

1960 Jaguar XK150 SE 3.8 DHC

Matching numbers; manual overdrive; uprated disc brakes all round; ex-California car fully restored in 2003 and only 2,500 miles since; converted to RHD; current owner 18 years; lovely condition throughout

This lovely XK150 is one of 2,009 Drophead Coupe versions made in LHD between 1957 and 1960. The majority had the 3.4 engine but from 1959 the 3.8 engine was available, as fitted to this car, which produced 220bhp and could propel the Big Cat to 60mph in just 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph.
An SE model with a manual overdrive gearbox and disc brakes all round, it was built in late 1959 destined for the American market, JDHT records on file confirming that it is a ‘matching numbers’ car retaining the original engine with which it left the factory. It was to remain in America for the next 40 years, some early service history showing that it was resident in Dayton, Ohio, during the 1960s, later moving to sunny California from where it was exported back to the UK by our vendor in 1998, at which point it had 54,574 miles on the clock.
Over the next five years it was treated to a total nut-and-bolt restoration, as detailed by many invoices and photos on file, most of the work being carried out by Jaguar specialists Arnold Engineering of Devon. The full extent of the work carried out is far too detailed to list in full here, but rest assured it was a complete body-off job with no expense spared and included conversion to RHD.
The bodywork is in excellent shape with unusually good panel fit all round, and the car has been repainted to a good standard in Jaguar Sapphire Blue metallic which suits it well and still looks sharp 20 years on – always a good sign! The engine was rebuilt with new pistons and bearings etc, the suspension renewed and uprated with Spax shock absorbers all round, the steering rack reconditioned and the brakes uprated with four-pot calipers at the front. A new wiring harness was fitted along with a new fuel tank, new brightwork, new chrome wire wheels plus much else besides.
New tilting bucket seats were fitted in the front (much more supportive than the original slippery bench arrangement) and the whole interior retrimmed in black Connolly leather by Hamptons Coachtrimming of Wolverhampton at a cost of £5,435 which included a new German Riverhead mohair hood with a West of England wool headlining. A new set of seat belts are also included although these will need to be fitted if desired.
Since the restoration was completed in 2003, the car has been lightly used in fine weather only, covering only 2,500 miles, the odometer currently showing 57,025 miles. Despite the light use, the vendor has had the car serviced virtually every year at MOT time (including fresh oil and filter each time) so it is safe to say that it has been extremely well looked after! It was last serviced in March this year since when it has only covered a handful of miles, the 15 old MOTs on file (2003 – 2018) showing that it has always flown through the test with virtually no advisories recorded.
Driven to the sale on a very warm day with no problems whatsoever, it has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on site with good 40psi oil pressure.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com