Lot Ended
Description
1960 Jaguar XK150 SE 3.8 Drophead Coupe
From a
deceased estate; current owner 20 years; beautifully restored in the early 1990s
and fewer than 12,000 miles since; power steering; overdrive; Coopercraft
brakes; one of only 264 made in RHD; a wonderful car in all
respects
"The Jaguar
XK150 is undeniably one of the world's fastest and safest cars. It is quiet and
exceptionally refined mechanically, docile and comfortable... we do not know of
any more outstanding example of value for money"
- Autocar.
It is hard to imagine
the impact that Jaguar’s XK range had when it was launched way back in 1948. At
a time of bleak postwar austerity when the average family saloon could barely
crack 60mph and might take a week to get there, the XK120 was an outrageously
sexy sportscar with a twin-cam race-bred engine that could smash past 60 in just
a few seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph. The fact that this epic
machine emerged from the shattered ruins of Coventry only made it all the more
heroic.
Outstanding motorcars by any standards,
the three XK models from the William Lyons stable remained in production for 13
years and simply got better as time went on. Last of the line was the
sensational XK150 of 1957, safer, faster and roomier than the XK140 it replaced.
Available in roadster, drophead and fixed-head coupe form, it was initially
powered by a 190bhp 3.4-litre six, but eventually had a magnificent triple-carb
3.8-litre unit that produced 265bhp and could crack 60 in 7.2 seconds with a top
speed of 135mph. Stopping power was also vastly improved thanks to the adoption
of the disc brake technology that Jaguar had honed at Le Mans.
The XK150 remained in production until late
1960 by which time some 9,300 had been sold of which only around 600 were
right-hand drive dropheads and only 264 were 3.8 SE models. Priced above the
fixed-head and roadster versions, the dropheads had occasional rear seats and a
fully lined hood.
First registered in
Portsmouth in January 1960, this gorgeous XK150 SE 3.8 DHC looks stunning in
Cotswold Blue with a navy blue interior. From 1991 – 2002 it was owned by a Mr M
Campbell of Alton who sent it to Brian Stevens Classic Car Restorations of
Rotherwick for a total body-off restoration which was carried out between 1992
and 1994. The bills for the work amount to over £56,000 and the labour rate was
only £20 per hour so one dreads to think how much that would cost
today.
No corners were cut and £17,000 was
spent on new body panels alone. The interior was fully retrimmed to an
exceptionally high standard, the brightwork was rechromed (cadmium plated
followed by gold passifated) and the
brakes/steering/suspension/axle/propshaft/electrics were all renewed or
refurbished as required. Interestingly, there are no bills relating to the
engine or gearbox although it seems that larger carburettors were fitted.
Nevertheless, the gearbox is delightful and
the engine certainly sounds lovely with good 60psi oil pressure, a stamp on the
block indicating that it has been bored out to 3,847cc at some point rather than
the 3,781cc as standard. The original engine (VA1316-8) also seems to have been
replaced by a later Jaguar Mk2 3.8 unit (LB2185-9) although the V5C has not been
amended to record these changes.
The odometer
was re-set to zero once the restoration was completed and it seems that Mr
Campbell (who also owned several other classics) barely drove the car, old MOTs
showing that it only covered 748 miles between 1994 and 2002.
Our vendor acquired the car from renowned
dealer Duncan Hamilton of Basingstoke in November 2002 and used it more
regularly, the odometer currently showing 11,915 miles which included a tour
round France. He also carried out some choice upgrades including a hydraulic
power steering rack conversion in 2009 using a kit supplied by M&C
Wilkinson. He also fitted Coopercraft brakes, a high torque starter motor,
halogen headlamps and a new set of stainless steel wire wheels shod with Avon
TurboSteel tyres. The overdrive mechanism was also rebuilt in 2005.
On offer here from a deceased estate, the car
has been starting promptly and running beautifully as we have moved it around on
site. Having covered fewer than 12,000 miles since it was restored nearly 30
years ago, this is one of the nicest XKs we have offered in 17 years of hosting
these sales and would sit well in any collection.
For
more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT