Description
This car is Lot 160 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 160
Unique Specification. 55-years single ownership
1960 Jaguar XK150 3. 8-Litre Roadster
Registration no. 1050 LG
Chassis no. 820088DN
Unique specification 3. 8-Litre XK150
Known ownership history, present ownership for 55-years
Recent extensive refurbishment
Exceptionally comprehensive service file
This XK150 has a fascinating history, commencing in the summer of 1960 when Joan White of Bramhall, Cheshire decided to buy herself a Jaguar convertible. By this time XK production was finishing and E-Type production had started. Rather than Jaguar's sporting image - founded on its five Le Mans wins with the C-Type and D-Type, plus countless other victories - Joan White's imagination had been fired by the glamour associated with Jaguar cars in 1950s America, where most XKs had been sold. Mrs White placed an order for this XK150, this turned out to be one of only 2 right-hand drive 3. 8l roadsters built, chassis number '820088DN'. The other one, '81DN' is now in Italy, converted to LHD, leaving this car unique. It was delivered with disc wheels, full spats and whitewall tyres as it presents to this day.
Subsequentially, after buying the car some 55 years ago in May 1970, our vendor managed to contact Joan White, who by then was living in Florida. She sent her first photograph of the XK with herself decoratively perched on the car. After that photograph had been taken, and before leaving the UK, Ms White had bought a Ford Thunderbird and transferred her personal registration, 'JW 165'. The XK150 became '1050 LG' and was sold to a second female owner who wrote, declaring it to be "the nicest car I've ever owned". The Jaguar was then sold to Malcolm Fergusson, the Financial Controller of Nabisco. His records show regular servicing.
1050 LG came with most of its original documents, including the first logbook. Subsequent service history is now recorded in the 46-page 'Black Book'. An Automignon record player was fitted, together with the top twenty records of the week ending the week car was registered.
In the winter of 1977/ 1978 at 28, 500 miles the vendor rebuilt the engine and gearbox (he is a B. SC. Eng. and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society). The cylinder head was reconditioned by specialists Forward Engineering; the cylinder block rebored to +0. 030" and fitted with new pistons; and the big-end and main bearings replaced. The gearbox was rebuilt with new input, main-shaft and roller bearings. These refurbishments were carried out some 37, 000 miles ago, and our vendor reports that everything is still working well.
Bodywork repairs including fitting new sills and door lowers were done in the winter of 1978/ 1979 at 29, 800 miles. This did not include removal of the body from the chassis, unusual and leaving all the body lines true to original. This was followed by a respray in 1981 at 30, 300 miles.
Most recently, carried out to the highest standards, regardless of cost, further renovation has just been completed (at 65, 500 miles) including sending the XK to marque specialists Twyford Moors where the engine was removed and cleaned, as was the engine bay. In addition, a new clutch and master cylinder were fitted; the flywheel skimmed; an aluminium radiator installed; and the engine mounts renewed (cost £7, 098). Specialists O/ D Spares fitted an overdrive brake ring, clutch, outer ring and accumulator (cost £570) while Tadpole Radios replaced the non-working Automignon record player (cost £1, 812). Twyford Moors then fitted and tested the record player (cost £1, 215). Related invoices, and others, total £10, 695.
Over the years, this Jaguar XK150 has appeared in many books and magazines, as well as being photographed on numerous occasions. Its double-page spread in Jaguar Driver magazine (July 2022 edition) was entitled 'Rarest of the Rare'. It has also featured in a series of six TV programmes with presenter Juliet Morris, and comes with recordings of the series on original tape and USB stick. Copies of all these books and magazines (16 in total) come with the car, while pictures on mugs, as jigsaw puzzles, and in a variety of print formats are available to any perspective purchaser online.
This quite exceptional, and unique XK150 is accompanied by a detailed and handwritten history file , including the handwritten letters and photographs of the first two lady owners, and handwritten notes from the current 55 year custodian. The car comes complete with 45rpm singles of the NME's 'Top Twenty' songs of the week the car was first registered in 1960; the original logbook and owner's manual, the 16 classic car books and magazines featuring 1050 LG, plus a 400-piece jigsaw and a mug. Inspection is essential and together with the additional items, it is one of the most comprehensive Bonhams|Cars has ever seen.
Cherished by our vendor for 55 years, who has used the car sparingly on a variety of national and international events, this quite remarkable - indeed unique - XK150 lives on, redolent of the life and times of first owner Joan White and her love for the glamour of 1950s Hollywood and Jaguar cars.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
