This 1959 Jaguar XK150S 3.4-Liter Roadster sold for $203,500 (including premium) at the June 1, 2014 Bonhams auction after being restored by Foreign Car Specialities in 1998. After a painstaking show-level restoration, this vehicle received more than 50 Concours wins and attained 100 point JCNA status. You can see the listing at Bonhams here or scroll for the full listing details.
1959 Jaguar XK150S 3.4-Liter Roadster
- Over 50 Concours wins, 100 point JCNA status
- Chassis no. T831532DN
- Engine no. VS 1486-9
- 3,442cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
- 3 SU Carburetors
- 250bhp at 5,500rpm
- 4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
- Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Matching numbers, factory left hand drive example
- Three owners from new
- Fewer than 18,000 original miles
The Jaguar XK150
"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," declared The Autocar.
Introduced in 1957, the '150' is the ultimate expression of Jaguar's XK series. Revisions to the bodywork retained the traditional XK look but the revised fender line made room for a wider cowl and windshield and fed into thinner doors that much improved comfort. Jaguar adopted the disc brakes which had so dramatically demonstrated their effectiveness in the C-types at Le Mans, improving not only braking performance but also the XK 150's marketing.
In standard form, it retained the 190bhp of its predecessor. But for those requiring a little more 'poke', 'Special Equipment' and 'S' versions came with 210 and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 136mph.
At first the '150' was available in fixed and drophead coupé forms; the open roadster version didn't appear until the following year. The roadster version would become the rarest XK 150 model, now with rollup windows and thorough weather protection to make it the ideal vehicle for a day's enjoyment or a long trip through variable weather. Looks were not to be compromised, however, as the XK150 Roadster retained the traditional roadster's window sill dip and top that was fully enclosed when retracted for an especially attractive profile.
The Motorcar Offered
There can be few cars of this marque or model that can lay claim to such achievement in Concours events across this country. Over the course of the last 13 years, the XK150S offered here has won more than 50 Concours awards, including numerous 'Best in Class' trophies. Today, the car still holds 100 point status with the Jaguar Club of North America and has won North American Champion as well.
That the car came to be in such extraordinary condition is testament to its owners, keen enthusiasts of British motorcars, and reflects their passion, keen eye for detail and quality workmanship.
An original U.S. delivered example, this 'S' was built on October 10, 1958, dispatched 20 days later and supplied to this country through Jaguar Cars New York. Finished in Black with Grey hides and a Black top, it was delivered with the exact technical specification and matching numbers components that it retains today, as verified by its Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate.
The first owner of the car was J.P. Squire of Mentor, Ohio who took delivery on July 19, 1960. Squire kept the car for four years before selling it to W.O. Oden of nearby Cleveland, Ohio in June of '64. Oden enjoyed the car for two subsequent years before putting it into storage in his garage in August of 1966. The Jag would sit closeted in Oden's garage for the next three decades until it was acquired by the current owner in May of 1997. When the car was pulled out of the garage, it was in complete and showing less than 18,000 miles on the clock.
Sent to marque specialist Jeff Lock of Foreign Car Specialties in Tallmadge, Ohio in 1998, an exhaustive, body-off, concours quality restoration was begun. In completing the restoration, exacting detail features were sourced - items which are so often copied, but rarely are originals as found on this car.
This exhaustive process took three years from start to finish. Completed in its original color scheme, it has achieved consistent success where ever it has been shown. With preciously few miles added since it was completed to its already very low mileage total, and detailed to the highest degree, the car looks today much as it did when the exacting rebuild was finalized. The car is replete with it original owner's manual including its annual maintenance chart, tool roll, and 'Supplementary Instructions...for the XK150 "S" Model'.
Bonhams can only endorse the judgments of so many experts across the country who have consistently prized and placed this car above all others they have seen. It is an utterly beautiful example with only three Ohio owners and fewer than 18,000 original miles, which should comfortably provide its next owner with further awards, or hold its own among any world class collection of automobiles.
