- 1960 Jaguar XK150 ‘S’ 3.8 Litre in right-hand drive
- Ordered new through Ecurie Ecosse
- Single family ownership from new
- Special Battleship Grey over red leather
- 9:1 compression ratio and LSD
- Only example ordered with disc-type wheels and rear spats
MODEL HISTORY
The final glorious incarnation of the fabulous series of XK sports cars by Jaguar the XK150 arrived in 1957, as the company were taking 5 of the first six places at Le Mans. The 150 was a progressive development of the XK120 and XK140, retaining the same basic chassis, four speed Moss transmission and 3.4 litre engine of its predecessors yet benefitting from a new, wider body and single-piece wrap-around windscreen that provided much increased interior space and improved visibility. A higher front wing line and wider radiator grill together with a clever 4” wide central fillet were the obvious design differences allowing the factory to retain use of many of the XK120/140 pressings.
Learning from their Le Mans experiences the major leap forwards for the 150 was its Dunlop disc brakes eliminating the problem of brake fade suffered by the earlier, drum braked cars. This new model now had stopping power to match its performance.
Launched in the Spring of 1957, in fixed and drophead coupe body styles the roadster version would not be launched until the following year. The engines maximum power output was the same as the XK140 at 190bhp but before long the SE ‘Special Equipment and ‘S’ versions were introduced with 210 and an impressive 150bhp respectively. The ‘S’ model utilised a Weslake-developed ‘straight-port’ cylinder head, high compression pistons, triple 2” SU carburettors and twin electric fuel pumps delivering an impressive 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds and top speed of 136mph. A Borg-Warner automatic gearbox or manual with Laycock overdrive were the available transmission options. Steel disc-type wheels and spats on the rear wheels were also available but VSG 2 seems to be the only ‘s’ model that was ordered with this configuration.
Towards the end of 1959 the 3.8 litre engine with 265 bhp in ‘S’ tune became available for the first time in the XK150 range, in standard or ‘SE’ form it produced 220 bhp with the Laycock overdrive as standard in the ‘S’ with the package of the larger engine and ‘S’ specification tuning the cars in magazine testing regularly clocked over 130mph!
THIS MOTOR CAR
The car that we are pleased to now offer for sale is a refined and rare beast indeed. One of only 115 right-hand drive, 3.8 litre Jaguar XK150 ‘S’ coupes manufactured and believed to be the only one with the disc-type wheels and rear spats ordered from new. In addition the car is being offered for sale for the first time ever, remaining in the family of the original owner for the past 60 years.
This extraordinary motorcar was ordered in the special colour scheme of Battleship Grey with red leather interior through the garage of two-times Le Mans winners Ecurie Ecosse and retains the Edinburgh number plate VSG 2 just a few digits away from the famous Ecurie Ecosse race transporter registration of VSG 7. It was serviced in its early years by ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson and has, we are told by the vendor, never been driven in the winter and has never been involved in an accident. This stunning Jaguar XK150 has covered a mere 56,000 miles in its 60 years, it retains its original paint, beautifully mellowed red leather interior, is matching numbers throughout and with the desirable 9:1 compression ratio drives as one would expect from a nearly new car, even retaining the unmistakable Jaguar factory smell!
A very rare car indeed and a once in a lifetime opportunity for any true enthusiast of originality and the original driving experience to acquire a unique and beautiful Jaguar XK150.