1960 Jaguar XK 150 S 3.8 Manual Overdrive FHC

Remarkable unrestored 1960 Jaguar XK150 3. 8 S Manual plus Overdrive Fixed Head Coupe, with outstanding provenance travelled 145, 028 miles. Just two owners from new, this is one of the most original and well documented XK150 S models we have encountered.

Built 24 March 1960, registered in Coventry on 22 April 1960 and delivered that day from the works as a home delivery export car to the order of Henly’s, London. The first owner was Major W. I. J Savary of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment, HQ Osnabruck Garrison, stationed in Germany, the car spent much of its early life cruising the German autobahns. The second owner purchased it on 31 December 1963 from Performance Cars Ltd in Brentford, Middlesex, and imported it to Australia in September 1965. Since arriving in Australia it has remained continuously registered and regularly driven, a rarity for a car of this significance. In 1994 it competed in Targa Tasmania, achieving second in class.

The accompanying history file is exceptional, containing the purchase documents from 1963, the importation paperwork from 1965 and decades of maintenance invoices documenting the car’s life over more than sixty years.

Introduced in May 1957, the XK150 was the final evolution of Jaguar’s legendary XK line. More refined and capable than its predecessors, it transformed the XK into a genuine Grand Tourer capable of competing with contemporary offerings from Aston Martin, Maserati and Ferrari. Distinguished by its higher scuttle and door line, wider grille and more spacious interior, the XK150 offered a significantly improved driving experience. The 3. 8 S was produced only during the final phase of XK150 production and was the ultimate factory specification, featuring the coveted straight port cylinder head and triple 2 inch SU HD8 carburettors, increasing output to 265 bhp. Just 275 XK150 3. 8 S models were built, of which only 150 were Fixed Head Coupes.

This particular example has benefited from extensive maintenance throughout its life while remaining fundamentally unrestored and largely original. The interior presents beautifully, with the headlining, carpets, rear parcel shelf and rear wheel arch trims retrimmed by renowned Jaguar specialist Neil Litchfield in 2006. The seats retain a wonderful patina that reflects more than six decades of genuine use and careful ownership.

Mechanically the car is on the button and an absolute delight to drive. The engine performs strongly, the gearbox and overdrive operate as they should and the car delivers the effortless long legged character that made the XK150 such a respected Grand Tourer. Cosmetically, the body shows the honest signs of an unrestored car, with various panel blemishes, imperfections and evidence that some panels have been repainted during its lifetime. The chrome work is generally very good with only minor pitting in places. Underneath there are some areas of non-structural rust that will require attention for registration purposes.

For many enthusiasts the XK150 represents the ultimate expression of Jaguar’s classic 1950s sports car, and the 3. 8 S Manual plus Overdrive is unquestionably the most desirable specification of the range. Highly sought after worldwide and seldom offered with such comprehensive history, long term ownership and originality, this exceptional XK150 S is now ready for just its third owner from new.

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