OK folks, it’s Gullwing Motor Cars time and today’s installment is a 1959 Jaguar XK150 drophead coupe. I gotta tell you, this offering surprised me. Often, we’ll encounter, how should I say it, “unruly” cars featured from this dealership – some that are in unrecognizable shape, usually rare or low production models, that are going for eyeball-popping prices. This Jag, however, looks to be in pretty reasonable shape and is available for $49,500. It’s located in Astoria, New York and is available, here on Gullwing Motor Cars.
Predating the E-Type, the XK 150 introduced itself in 1957 offering a roadster, a drophead coupe (our subject car), and a fixed-roof coupe. Lasting through the 1960 model year, a bit over 9,000 XK 150s rolled off of the Coventry, England assembly line. Regarding this example, we are told, “(this) is an excellent original example that’s ready for straightforward recommissioning. Red with black interior. Just out of long-term ownership and storage. It’s been sitting off the road for several years… The paint and chrome are showing their age at this time and require attention“. Maybe so, but it doesn’t look bad. The chrome is a bit dull but all of the trim and shiny bits are still attached. It would seem that the images were taken just after bath time so maybe the finish is a little less inspiring – it needs to be inspected when dried. Still, there is no evidence of rot or crash damage.
Likewise, the interior presents well too. The carpet over the driveshaft hump is shot but the upholstery and what can be seen of the door cards checkout as OK. The footwell carpet looks recent though the driver’s side piece doesn’t appear to be finished where it meets the outer bulkhead – small stuff. Most importantly, the gauges are clear and there are no instrument panel vacancies. Ditto the wood/wood veneer instrument panel – I was expecting to find a delaminated piece but that’s not the case.
An engineered beauty is the 210 HP, 3.4 liter DOHC, in-line six-cylinder engine. I’m running with the assumption that this is a special edition (SE) version of the 3.4 as that’s what made up the bulk of export examples. A non-SE variety would generate a lesser 190 HP. We’re told that this Jag runs though it has been off the road for several years while it enjoyed some storage facility quiet time – no mileage is listed. The gearbox is a four-speed manual and there was an overdrive option available as well but the listing doesn’t state if that’s the case with this car.
Prices for these XK150s seem to be all over the board, from the upper ’60s into triple digits. Considering this car’s condition, it may be a good starting point at this price – as has been said before Gullwing Motor Cars seem to know what the market will bring for a good variety of special marques and models. So, what’s your thought, priced right, or not quite?
Carpet looks like someone bought a remnant from a store in Woodside and cut it with a scissors and didn’t have the edges bound.
…thus the Jagged edge…
(I’m here all week)
I had the same carpet in my basement in the mid 90’s
Ok the carpet. However , whoever was driving this in 1959 must have been on top of the world
A fine Hagwar,,,dang, if the cookie crumbled the other way, meaning, grandpappy invented the safety pin, or equivalent, and I lived in a convertible area, you can bet yer arse, THIS is what I’d be in. Oh, I can see it now, big smile, arms out straight, short scarf flailing in the wind, super model by my side,,,oops, too far. Yeah, oh well, I suppose I’m happy with the old Jeeper, at least it’s red too. Color me partial, but a cooler car, I dare say, was ever made. There’s several videos, the sound these make,,,nothing like it.
I think that may be the OD switch to the left of the steering wheel. My ’58 didn’t have it, so I’m not certain, but I think this one might by an overdrive equipped model.
I bet the missing top and top bows on these are rare and spendy. You’d probably expect to replace the top, but the missing structure(?) … yikes.
The original bench seat appears to have been replaced with individual seats. The wood centre dash is not original and appears to be a British Autowood add-on, which helps make the car a tad nicer. As for Gullwing, perhaps some of the recent criticisms of their pricing/mark-ups got through to the boss, hence this seemingly more reasonable offering?…
Xk150 ‘s never came with a bench seat. My suspicion is that this is likely a flood car. All the Wilton wool components pulled. I think what you are seeing is underlayment. Telltale rust at vent window, an unlikely place.
A 150 restored accurately is $110K – $120K, an XK150S is $150K-$175K. Gullwing knows these cars extremely well. So there is a reason this one is priced where it is. We just don’t know why yet.