The XK150 was the final iteration of the classic Jaguar XK series, which began with the XK120 in 1948. By 1961, Jaguar was about to introduce the E-Type and set the world on its ear again, but before that point, this XK150 drophead coupe was produced on February 22, 1960, and shipped to a waiting US market. Now you can bring the car back to life, as it’s available here on eBay for $18,500 or best offer. The big cat is waiting for you in Hanover, Massachusetts. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for this great find!
I know there are those of you who feel the XK150’s lines aren’t as “pure” as those of the XK120/XK140, but I respectfully disagree. A 150 is much more accommodating inside, as well as having longer legs for touring purposes–fitting for today’s world. This 150 features a 3.8-liter version of the XK 6-cylinder engine, which, when new, was rated at 220 horsepower in the standard version and 265 in the “S” model. From this angle, it’s easy to see the “Americanized” enlarged bumpers–it’s said the Brits were unprepared for us “park by feel” Americans and had to beef their bumpers up appropriately. The heritage certificate states the car was originally black, so I’m not sure if we are seeing a color change or primer on the current body panels. Either way, I suspect whoever restores this beauty will want a color change from the current dingy and mismatched red/brown.
Two important things appear in this picture: the dents on the front fender that will require attention, and the dates on the pictures that have me wondering why this car has been sitting for so long. I went to the dealer’s website looking for more information, however, unlike some of the other Jaguars they have on offer, there’s no background to this car. Some detective work is in order, I think.
Rust, ah, rust. It’s here for sure, although not terminal yet. Bear in mind that a restoration of this car is either one of two things; a labor of love or a way of spreading out the costs. Otherwise, it’s probably much less expensive in the long run to purchase a car in better shape.
One of the nice things about most British marques is the ability to get this kind of information about a car. And it’s here that we find that the car is equipped with an automatic transmission. Actually, in this particular car, an automatic may be more suited to it anyway, given it’s relaxed nature.
And here’s the 3.8-liter XK 6-cylinder engine, or at least we hope it is. Since the engine number is available on the certificate, it won’t take much to verify that is the original lump. No mention is made of attempts to start the car, or even if the engine turns over. I wonder how long it’s been since this XK was driveable?
When you are adding up the costs in your head, this picture will add many dollars to the total. A restored XK interior is a beautiful thing, filled with wood and leather and, usually, the smell of money! At least the future owner is spared the question of whether or not any components need replacing! What do you think about this ragtop? Is it a project you would be interested in, or a money pit to run away from? Let us know in the comments below, and tell us about your XK experiences as well!
The sloppy welding on the rockers tell me to keep on walking.
Have to agree, could be a real big let down once you break it down. Got it together this far and things were not going well so on to the next one!
Signs of a DIY attempted restoration. Did he/she use Bondo or lead?
I contacted the seller re driveability. Will post response.
Definitely an interesting car however I prefer the 120’s and the 140’s. This one as a project has too many tell-tale signs of being an abused car. The engine compartment for one. I am not against flex hoses for a driver but not on this car. The mismatched panels also don’t help. For me, it is not an intriguing project. I would need to get it for virtually nothing and bring it back minimally to a ‘driver/10 feet’ condition. It would still get attention, but turn off any purists who knew the car.
A lot of rusty Jags seem to have come out of Hanover, Ma., for some reason (as I recall the last couple of decades). I wonder if it’s the same seller every time, and if he’s a restorer/flipper. In any case, there’s no such thing as a cheap Jaguar restoration!
Market is soft for these car now- over on BAT a couple nice ones have just gone through the auction one at 45k and another at 60K, This one will require 60K to bring it back to life. The only way it could be done would be a real enthusiast young enough to take the slow and steady approach and do all his own work. However the folks in that age bracket are more into the E types and Alfas now.
Market is soft for these car now- over on BAT a couple nice ones have just gone through the auction one at 45k and another at 60K, This one will require 60K to bring it back to life. The only way it could be done would be a real enthusiast young enough to take the slow and steady approach and do all his own work. However the folks in that age bracket are more into the E types and Alfas now. On top of that, it’s an automatic which is not so desirable.
Is it Whitworth or metric?
this is an interesting combo. An “S” per the chassis number but a standard 150 per the engine number. Per what data I have, there were only about 50+- 61 3.8 LHD drop heads built. No specifics on how many of those were an “S”. And another thing I read was that all 61 drop heads were 3.8’s. So an interesting car to dig into
As a newly aged 16 year old, my dad insisted on venturing out with me to look at potential chariots that would whisk me away to high school each morning. He, an immigrant from a British colony, basked in all things Lucas. We grew up with Jaguar MKVII’s, those with gleaming wood appointments as well as leather donated by Connolly cows. While he and I scoured the San Francisco countryside searching for the appropriate car (all foreign, mind you), it became apparent to me that a muscle car was not in my immediate future. Which brings us to the XK150. We looked at one that he wanted me to purchase, but to be truthful, the lack of burlwood surrounding the instruments was a turnoff. And….for the ONLY time in my teenage years, I had a sensible thought that kept telling me “who is going to work on this thing?”. Now, the old man was a master mechanic who to his dying breath swore that Jaguars were very dependable. But I wasn’t going to take a chance of spending my teenage weekends in the garage, holding a light for the old man while he continually bemoaned my ability to place the light just where he wanted. In the 39 seconds it took me to run that scenario through my head, I mustered the courage to say no to the Jag. Just like I would say no to this one, 57 years later.
It’s not an “S” @JagManBill. As strange as it seems, an “S” would have a chassis prefix of “T”. The engine number on an “S” would, however, have an “S” added to the “VA” prefix. This one is just a 3.8 auto.
Had to sift through to much blah, blah to learn that it’s an automatic. Not interested, thank you.
I completely disagree with “Actually, in this particular car, an automatic may be more suited to it anyway, given it’s relaxed nature.” I’m very disappointed that this car is an automatic. If your right foot doesn’t get tired working the gas and the brake, then why would you left foot get tired working the clutch?