1958 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe

Perhaps inevitably, for a model that sold best Stateside, the last of the XKs gained a little weight, while also upping the luxury, often with an accompanying firepower hike to match. When new, this base model but gleaming XK150 could dash to 60mph in just 7.6 seconds. That’s thanks to its 190bhp 3442cc XK engine. Having had the same keeper (the vendor) since 1995, and just three recorded in total (first two allegedly in the same family), this Jaguar’s history and condition both seem excellent.

We have at least two older restorations on record. The first was apparently performed by Wildae Restorations Ltd, Braunton for an eyewatering cost of just over £25k in November 1988 (over £84k today).

This Jaguar was repainted white (originally grey) at some point before the current owner bought the car in 1995. It was then repainted white again by the current owner in 2000 and seems to have survived the intervening near quarter of a century very well indeed.

It was last MoT’d in March 2012, yet invoices show continued visits to local garages and specialists for frequent remedial and maintenance work ever since, with the last receipt from earlier this year.

We’re not sure if there’s a better colour combination for a 1950s classic than white over red. The contrast just works beautifully, even with those body-coloured wire wheels. If those aren’t to your taste, it might be a good time to have them refinished, as several are showing a few spots of surface rust on both wires and centre hubs.

The radiant red leather seats and door cards are matched by similarly rouge-tinted carpets and dashboard. The top-down impression this XK gives is one of a cabin that ‘pops’. The red theme continuing on the outside too with a nice subtle red piping on the tonneau cover.

Bodywork, however, generally presents very well, with an even and deeply reflective shine with no obvious dents found. However, it’s not perfect, we did spot a stone chip on the nearside edge of the bonnet and some very light bubbling to the nearside rear wheel arch.

Chrome trim, and there’s plenty of that, looks in fine shape with just a little light pitting on the front ¾ window trim the worst offender. The hanging of the rear bumper could also be improved, as it’s a little down on the offside. Sticking with the offside, the seal around the front indicator looks DIY, but more good news comes from the fact the car’s soft top hood looks great, with only very slight clouding to its rear plastic screen.
 

As with the exterior, things inside this Jaguar generally appear to be very good. The trim and hide show minimal marks, the latter still looks almost new. There are a few light marks on the dashboard, but really should be classed as patina, though the associated aftermarket cassette deck wiring hanging down, and the missing trim from the passenger footwell, should probably be addressed.

Dashboard, door cards and carpets all look great with the glass also appearing clean and clear. The trim throughout looks neat and tidy, though a little fabric is beginning to peel from the driver’s side B-post and on the edge of the driver’s seat (same area). There are rear dicky seats fitted, though no seatbelts, of course. The headlining looks great without anything to mark it down, as far as we could tell. The generous boot features a fire extinguisher, lovely toolkit and both indoor and outdoor car covers.
 

Hinge open that massively long bonnet and you’re greeted by the sight of one of the most significant automotive engines ever made. The XK is a real looker, none of the plastic obscured mundanity of modern motors. It was one of the first mass market twin-camshaft powerplants and Jaguar was rightly proud of it, forming its new engine into a mighty and marvellously mechanical manifestation. Looking at an XK engine in situ is a pleasure, that’s even before you’ve heard it fire up and sing round the rev counter into its power band.

The ’bay of this XK150 is a little grimy, the inner wings and engine showing a light misting of oil and road dirt, but it’s certainly not untidy, merely a little ‘lived in’. Still, if cleaning and detailing is your thing, you’ll be in your element here. The patina is great though under that little film of oil, as some slight surface rust on most components gives this classic the sense of age that a car of its vintage deserves.

Underneath looks straight and solid, from what we could make out of this low-slung sportster. We saw a stainless-steel exhaust, which adds both noise and longevity. There’s also a smattered of what appears to be mild surface rust here and there and some more corrosion on the front valance lip. The vendor has also mentioned that he’s had the car’s brakes upgraded with a Jaguar MkX setup, greatly improving their efficacy.
 

As you’d expect for a car that’s been retained by its current keeper for over thirty years, there’s a glut of history to accompany this XK. The highlights from this car’s extensive file are as follows…

•    Headlining was replaced in 2015 – Hukes Car Trimmers, Herts, (£816).
•    Non-start issue fixed (new fuel pump) in 2024 by Tower Hill Garage, Herts (£384.96) and ignition system overhauled (£245).
•    Exhaust gaskets and damaged studs replaced at the same time and place as above (£729), plus thermostat and various other jobs (£355.62).
•    General condition check and service including greasing in 2019 at Tower Hill Garage (£154.20).
•    Annual inspection and service in 2021 at Tower Hill Garage (£114).
•    Same again in 2018 (£114).
•    Replaced plugs in 2017 (£59.93) and annual service and inspected (£84).
•    Further servicing in 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012.
•    Rev counter and clock repaired in 2011.
•    November 2000 – Full repaint carried out by Tower Hill Garage (£4700).
•    Almost all annual invoices for servicing and work going back to 1995.
•    September 1988 – Full restoration by Wildae Restorations Ltd. (£25,256.81).
 

There’s little doubting the care and cost that’s gone into maintaining this slice of sporting royalty over the years. The vendor is somewhat reluctantly parting with his pride and joy, as he explains. “I bought the car in 1995. I am now 78 and my usage is now so low that it seems a shame not to pass it on to someone who would appreciate it and use it more. That’s why I am (reluctantly) selling it.”

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £70,000.

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