• Seller: Eric T aylor
• Location: Torrington, Connecticut
• Mileage: 9999 Shown
• Chassis #: S8371
• Title Status: Clean

UPDATE – The seller has taken additional photos of the car and all the included parts! Be sure to take a look at them in the gallery. They have also gathered all the parts together to make shipping the car easier.

The XK150 was a significant car in Jaguar’s history because many lessons learned from it found their way into the iconic E-Type. The company built three variants during the XK150’s four-year production run, with our feature car a 1959 Drophead Coupe. It is a restoration project that stalled over two decades ago. However, it is a structurally sound vehicle that retains the vital components required to return the car to its former glory. The owner feels it deserves a better fate than to spend more years in hiding, listing the Jaguar exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

The XK150 graced Jaguar showrooms from 1957 until 1961 before being replaced by the iconic E-Type. The company produced three body variants, with 2,489 buyers selecting the Drophead Coupe. It wasn’t the rarest of the range, but it provided an excellent compromise. It offered occupants similar weather protection to the Fixed Head but with the wind-in-the-hair experience of the Open Two-Seater that joined the party in 1958. This Drophead is a restoration project that stalled years ago, with the car stored in a truck trailer since 1998. It doesn’t make the best first impression, but it is worth scrolling through the image gallery to discover the truth. There is plenty of accumulated surface corrosion and little sign of what we believe is Old English White paint. The seller notes that the car was originally painted blue. It will take hours of surface preparation before the panels are fit for fresh paint, but rust repairs will be minimal. The frame was blasted and coated with POR 15 before the build stalled, and it remains in good condition. The seller has provided photos of the spots they feel will need the most attention. The rear fenders and a few small parts are gone, but the remaining panels and exterior trim items are almost all there. This includes five of the beautiful wire wheels, which look like they will present well following a hefty dose of TLC.

The image gallery reveals that many interior trim items and the crucial hardware are intact, although the instrument panel is missing. That isn’t the end of the world because reproduction components are readily available, allowing the new owner to complete a faithful restoration confidently. It looks like the original owner trimmed the interior in Black, which was one of the more popular choices for cars finished in Old English White. Several companies stock complete interior kits that allow a faithful result. These retail for over $6,000, although the new owner should view it as a wise investment that will improve the car’s long-term investment potential.

The XK150 hit the market in 1957. It was powered by Jaguar’s beautiful 3.4-liter DOHC six, which produced 190hp and 203 ft/lbs of torque. The company would increase the capacity to 3.8-liters in 1959, but Jaguar restricted those motors to the S and SE models. Those powerplants would eventually find their way into the Series 1 E-Type. This car’s 3.4 would have sent its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with the optional overdrive feature. Outright performance was considered class-leading for a British sports car from this era, with the ¼-mile journey taking 16.7 seconds and the glorious six running out of breath at 120mph. This car retains its original mechanical components. The engine is dismantled, making any inspection or machining work before a rebuild straightforward. It is common for owners to tweak the cylinder head and upgrade the camshafts in these circumstances, unleashing some extra ponies to improve outright performance.

The last XK150 rolled off the line at Jaguar’s Coventry factory in October 1960. It sold significantly better than its predecessors, but the production total of 9,382 cars for global sale makes them rare by any standard. Various sources agree that only 2,009 were Drophead Coupes built in left-hand drive form. Some would have found their way to the European market, but most landed in North America. This is one of those cars, and while its revival won’t be cheap, it will be well worth the expense once its next owner gets to enjoy the final results. That makes this Jag worth more than a passing glance.

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