Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1959 Jaguar XK150 S 3. 4 litre Drophead Coupe
1 of just 104 examples made, sympathetically uprated for touring
Estimate
£45, 000 - £55, 000
Registration No: YSU 288
Chassis No: T838180DN
MOT: Exempt
1 of just 104 XK150 S 3. 4 litre Drophead Coupes made (in both LHD and RHD)
Supplied new to E. Schiller Esq of Illinois and later resident in Germany for many years before being repatriated in 1988
Treated to a bare metal renovation and conversion to RHD by The Vehicle Restoration Co and subsequently improved by renowned XK specialist, Twyford Moors (engine overhaul / conversion to unleaded, interior re-trimmed etc)
Purchased by the vendor from JD Classics in 2011 for £99, 000 and subject to some £27, 000 worth of fettling / maintenance since
The final iteration of the XK sportscar line and the last Jaguar to carry a separate chassis, the XK150 was introduced in May 1957. While its use of independent torsion-bar front suspension, a 'live' leaf-sprung rear axle and rack-and-pinion steering mirrored the practice of its XK140 predecessor, the new model benefited from the option of all-round Dunlop disc brakes (though, in practice very few – if any - cars were delivered with drum brakes). Stylistically, the newcomer was brought up-to-date with less ostentatious curves and a larger, wrap-around single piece windscreen. With the E-type still very much under development, Jaguar was keen to sustain the sporting reputation that a remarkable five Le Mans victories (1951, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1957) had earned it.
Initially powered by a 3442cc derivative of the marque's race-proven DOHC straight-six engine, the XK150 could be specified with an enlarged 3781cc unit from late 1959 onwards. Available in Standard, Special Equipment or 'S' tune, the latter high-performance package comprised a Harry Weslake-modified cylinder head, more aggressive camshaft profiling, high compression pistons and triple SU carburettors. Like its lesser siblings, the XK150 ‘S’ could be had in Fixed-Head Coupe, Open Two-Seater (Roadster) or Drophead Coupe guises. With a claimed 250hp on tap, the 'S' 3. 4 Litre cars were reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 7. 4 seconds and 132mph. Among the rarest of all XK variants, total (LHD and RHD) XK150 ‘S’ 3. 4 Drophead Coupe production is thought to have amounted to just 104 cars. Unsurprisingly, survivors are highly prized by collectors.
More information to follow
