2023-04-22 10:15:39 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/jaguar-xk-150-dhc-n0l5an

Seller's description:

Previously retrimmed to a very high standard

Original factory specification

Handsome red leather interior with matched carpeting

Modern Sony CD/radio system, mounted under the dashboard

Attractive brightwork in fine condition

Finished in the correct colour scheme, as from the factory

Comprehensive restoration completed approximately 10 years ago

We're told the soft-top has also been replaced

Handsome set of genuine wire wheels

Well finished in the correct factory shade of cream, the exterior of this suave sports car really is a delight. The paintwork itself looks to have been nicely applied, with smooth flanks and no notable blemishes or scuffs apparent. As an older restoration, there are sure to be some minor marks and chips – as you'd expect from any car that has been used on the road – but overall it presents very well indeed.

Likewise, the bodywork is smooth and even, with no rippling we could see and no evidence of corrosion or damage. Clearly, the dry Spanish climate has been very kind to this XK150. The curves of the wings and haunches are smooth and all of the panels gaps and shut lines look to be in good order.

As with all XK150s, there's plenty of brightwork to jazz up the styling, and it shows in very good order. There's some light patination to some of the brightwork, but overall it displays a very fine lustre, and those front and rear bumpers with their elegant over-riders really do look superb. At the front, we note a fine brace of yellow-lens driving lamps – one of our favourite period features.

The fabric hood itself is black, as per the factory spec, and doesn't show any sign of UV damage, tearing, sagging or wear that we could see. It folds neatly onto the rear deck and looks to be in excellent condition.

We're glad to see that the car is riding on the correct wire wheels, with period-correct centre-mounted "knock off" spinners. They all appear to be in good order, with no major corrosion issues or damage showing. They're dressed in a matched set of Firestone tyres that appear to have decent tread levels too.

As you can no doubt see from the photos, the underneath of the car is in similarly fine condition. Other than a couple of minor spots of surface corrosion to the outer edges of the sills by the wheel arches, we didn't see any damage or notable corrosion to the floor pans, chassis or drivetrain components. It all looks quite spick and span under there.

THE MECHANICS

3,442cc straight-six

Manual transmission with overdrive

Reported to run and drive well

Declared as a "matching numbers" engine and gearbox

 At the beating heart of this '50s sports car is Jaguar's iconic straight-six. Presented here in 3.4-litre form with twin SU carburettors, this 1959 model would have put out 210hp and 216lb-ft from the factory. Following the restoration, it shows very well. The engine bay is clean and tidy, with no evidence of leaks or other issues we could see. It benefits too from the desirable manual transmission with overdrive – the perfect accompaniment to that sonorous engine if you're an enthusiastic driver.

For its time, the XK150 was a technically advanced machine. There is fully independent front suspension with a rear live axle, while disc brakes are fitted on all corners. It's clearly been treated to a new exhaust system too, which finished in a pair of lovely stainless pipes.

The vendor does not report any issues or problems with the car mechanically, and we're told that it runs and drives very well.