2009-06-26 07:49:37 | Peter Ingram writes:

Interesting - Delivered in May 59 but built in September 1958

2009-06-28 17:51:10 | Anonymous writes:

so I believe - maybe it was a dealer demonstrator to begin with???

2009-06-29 02:24:05 | Lofty writes:

In June 2009, the car emerged from 40 years storage in a barn

2009-07-07 17:26:56 | Lofty writes:

odd - but FIRST reg date is 28 May 1959

2010-05-07 08:50:53 | Anonymous writes:

first owner was the West Bromwich garage owner Alan Eccles - a fairly famous race driver and team owner 1957-1970 ish. He raced Coopers, Lotus, Chevrolet.
Current owner would be very pleased to hear of any information on Alan Eccles.

2012-01-04 13:06:27 | Roger writes:

Dear owner,
I am Roger Eccles the son of Alan Eccles, my father, who ran the Hilltop Garage in West Brom. I do remember the car, a Grey XK 150 but I am sure that the badge on the front showed an S, am I wrong in thinking the car had a red interior? The reason is that we had two of these vehicles around at about the same time one a 150 and the other a 150 S, the 150 was fitted with a towing bracket for a trailer which carried his formula junior car. I am sure that the grey one came from Hewitts garage Stourbridge and not PJ Evans as my father had contacts there and bought several motor cars from Hewitts, however you may be correct. I am sure it was new when he had it and I am not sure why you think he bought it from Gerald Ashmore who I still know well and will check when I see him, although it could be a possibility.
The car would have been bought and used by my father hence the fact it had the plate AE34 on it at one stage, however, the car i am certain was classified as stock and if he had received the right offer he would have sold it. At the time number plates were easy to change and that number plate would have been passed on to many cars, I cannot remember who it was sold to once it left us. As it was rather a long time ago and I was between 12-13 at the time. For your information you are correct about my father and his racing history he actually started in formula 3 500cc in the early 50s.

if you require any further information, leave your e-mail address and I will be in touch,

regards,

roger

2012-01-08 07:12:31 | Paul writes:

Thankyou so much for your response - it is so very much appreciated and very interesting indeed.

The Jaguar Heritage Trust 'build' sheet for car S 824620 DN lists PJ Evans as Distributor, Ashmores as the Dealer. First owner A. Eccles, registration AE 34. I learned it was ALAN Eccles by talking to a Bob Eccles of West Bromwich.

Best email for me is myonehere@aol.com

Many thanks again,
Paul T

2012-01-24 10:56:16 | roger writes:

I have spoken to Gerald recently and he confirmed that the build sheet is correct.

Regards,

Roger

2012-01-25 08:32:35 | Anonymous writes:

thanks for that - I would love to learn more from either yourself or Gerald.
Do you have a direct email please?

regards
Paul T

2014-03-20 11:58:54 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 4/14
www.silverstoneauctions.com/1958-jaguar-xk150-fixedhead-coupe-for-restoration

Auction description:
The Restoration Show Sale
1958 Jaguar XK150 Fixedhead Coupe for Restoration *Barn Find*
Lot No.: TBA
Registration: AE 34
Chassis Number: S824620DN
Engine Number: V5393-8
Number of cylinders: 6
CC: 3442
Year of Manufacture: 1958
Estimate (£): 35,000 - 45,000

We are proud to offer to the public market a very special Jaguar which has been hidden from the world since 1969. After being laid up for a period of forty years in a barn, on blocks from 1969 to 2009, this XK150 was 'discovered' by a serious motor-enthusiast and multiple motoring-club member in 2009, who, forgetting that he already had several projects on the go, decided that an XK150 restoration was the next itch to scratch. Understandably, this was a bridge too far for his already overloaded private workshop, so after some gentle persuasion, here is the once-loved XK150 Fixedhead Coupé, 'AE 34'.

This car is steeped in period history. Its first owner was the West Bromwich garage owner Alan Eccles - a renowned racing driver of the period and latterly a team owner from c1957-1970. He was best known for racing Formula 3 500cc in the 1950's, then Cooper, Lotus and Chevrolet.

Ordered new by Alan in 1958, this XK150 remained at supplying dealers, Ashmores, until he took delivery and registered the car in 1959. It was specially ordered with the unusual optional gearbox: the ultra rare close-ratio version, thought to be less than 200 XK's were so fitted. This was perhaps because he was a racing driver after all - also the car still retains the very unusual added-extra of a rear tow bar. Correspondence with the family of the late Alan Eccles confirms that the tow bar and GB badging were fitted specifically so Alan could pull his 500, then his Formula Junior race car behind him to UK and European race meets. Given the recent interest in historic race car transport - restored, this car would make a very interesting slant on that theme.

The cars' story moves on, through a few owners [all detailed in the accompanying green buff logbook] to the immediately previous owner to the current enthusiast. In late 1969, having run the car for two years and, incidentally, keeping a detailed maintenance log [all on file] - this then young engineer took a job abroad. Unable to bring himself to part with his beloved Jaguar, which was then running well, he decided to store it away, up on blocks and covered with rugs, in the barn at his Shropshire home - for what he imagined would be a two or three year period at the most. However, one overseas posting led to another, then another and yet another & so on. And somehow, when home on leave, there always seemed to be much more important "family" things to attend to rather than commission his XK150. He did visit the sleeping car when he could, turn the engine over now and then with some oil down the bores, plus he did carefully store all the seats away in the attic. He promised himself that, one day, he would use the car again but eventually, after 40 years, he realised that was now rather unlikely.

And thus, one must remember that this car was registered for the road, 55 years ago, in 1959 and went into aforesaid barn in 1969. Therefore, although now needing a total restoration one could say that it represents, mechanically at least, in effect a TEN YEAR OLD XK150 - which must, at the very least, be intriguing?

Very importantly, this car was originally registered with the registration 'AE 34' which since 1959 has always carried a small chrome dot between the 3 and the 4 to denote the engine capacity, 3.4. This plate is on the V5C which accompanies the car and also on the official heritage certificate of the vehicle. Even the Jaguar key ring has an 'AE 34' plate attached. Whilst the registration number is transferable, we feel strongly that it has a very special association to this car and, therefore, the two components together retain a higher value than they would individually.

Now offered publicly at auction for the first time in its history, AE 34 is sure to make for one of the most rewarding and deserving restoration propositions. Please be under no illusion that this barn find car requires nothing short of a complete restoration, but take comfort in the fact that virtually all component parts are in situ. For instance, bodywise, it is clear that the boot floor and sills are unlikely to be salvageable - however, all the panels including the bonnet, doors, wings, roof and boot lid can be restored. The complete original red interior is in the car and still carries the factory chalk markings on some of the seat undersides to denote which car on the production line they were destined to adorn. Also onboard is the original Motorola 'wireless', with the correct registration AE 34 on the original faded label. The close-ratio gearbox is still present and the engine, whilst not running, does turn. The wheels and brakes are not seized and the car rolls freely meaning it can be transported from the sale on a suitable trailer. There is a rumour that the car may have also been fitted with the factory 'Powr-lok' limited-slip differential but this cataloguer is unable to confirm at this time.

It should also be noted that the engine numbers on both the head and the engine block match those on the body ID plate, the Heritage certificate and the V5C.

In our opinion this is one of the finest bases from which to restore a very fine 1950's motor car. With skill, patience and a sympathetic eye this could be one of the most beautiful examples of the marque when complete. We look forward to seeing the finished article on the concours lawn of a major UK event soon!

2014-05-03 10:57:42 | pauls writes:

XK Gazette reports the car Sold for (£): 29,900.

2015-03-14 15:42:34 | Anonymous writes:

car no back on auction -but appears to have ''lost'' its unique registration (!)

2015-03-14 15:43:57 | Anonymous writes:

(now back on auction) ...www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auctions/latest-classic-car-catalogue/sat ...

2015-04-11 10:58:09 | Anonymous writes:

sold for £26512 - I wonder how the registration number was removed? -since the car was plainly un-MOT'able....

2015-05-10 12:53:08 | Anonymous writes:

Sure enough, the number has been separated and is now for sale !!
www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C611485

2015-05-15 00:23:24 | pauls writes:

The sale is recorded in the May 2015 edition of the XK Gazette to now have the registration of 984UYJ.

2018-10-01 08:12:27 | alan evans writes:

i have the reg AE 34 now.

2018-10-02 09:10:17 | Peter Ingram writes:

iS IT STILL ON AN XK ????

2019-01-26 13:33:47 | Anonymous writes:

No -an Audi RS4

2019-02-14 00:44:00 | p tebbett writes:

I thought I read somewhere, that the car, the validity of the MOT, and the subsequent transfer of the registration AE34 were subject of a DVLA investigation?

2019-05-03 04:05:02 | James writes:

Hi there,

My father was the buyer who bought the car from the previous auction. After many complications, in which his friend restoring the car sadly passed away, the car remains unfinished. I soon hope that it will be returned to its former glory, back to its original colour scheme.

Regards,

James