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Image Left 1960 XK-150
 

1961 Jaguar XK150 news, pictures, and information

Convertible S
Chassis Num: S838990
Engine Num: VA2155
 
This 1961 Jaguar XK150 3.8 Drophead Coupe was offered for sale at the 2007 Blackhawk Collection Exhibit held at the Pebble Beach Concours. It carried a price tag of $145,000 and it left the auction under new ownership.

In Drophead Coupe form the XK150 had the best of both worlds, glamorous styling and plenty of power wîth its upgraded 3.8 liter engine. This rare and matching numbers example has had a complete concours restoration wîth everything on the car done to Jaguar standards both mechanically and cosmetically.

Source - Blackhawk Collection
Convertible S
Chassis Num: J61S838987DN
 
The Jaguar Xk150 was the last in a line of sports car that traced to the original Jaguar XK120 unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948. The XK150 was in production from 1957 through 1961 and was succeeded by an all-new Jaguar, the E-Type or XK-E.

The XK150 had a one-piece windshield and a wider grille, and by 1959 its 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine was pumping out 230 horsepower. This two-owner car, both living on the Monterey Peninsula, has been driven only 22,000 miles and remains unrestored.

This model represents the ultimate development of the XK-series cars prior to the advent of the XK-E. Three SU carburetors feed the 3.8-liter engine with valve actuation by dual overhead camshafts and a Weslake-developed 'gold' cylinder head. It is virtually identical in all specifications to the XK-E powerplant.

150-model Jaguars offered the poshest interiors of any XK to date, with the lavish use of leather throughout. These S-Series cars can be identified by the small 'S' on the forward edge of the doors, just behind the windshield pillar. The S has a top speed of more than 130 mph, overdrive is standard on the 4-speed manual gearbox, and Dunlop servo-assisted disc brakes are also part of the standard equipment. The 150S offers the owner/driver the combination of sparkling performance and handling blended with a level of comfort and luxury rarely encountered in thoroughbred sports cars of this period.
In 1957 Jaguar introduced the XK150, a replacement for the XK140. The XK140 had been a replacement for the XK120 which had started the XK series with its elegant styling and impressive 120 mph capabilities. At the time, the XK120 was the fastest production vehicle in the world. The XK150 had many similarities to its predecessors but it featured modern styling and improved mechanics.
When the XK150 was introduced, it could be purchased in DropHead Coupe or FixedHead Coupe configuration. The Open Two Seater (OTS) Roadster version appeared a year later.

The base engine was a DOHC 3.4 liter straight-six that produced 180 horsepower. Most of the vehicles were outfitted with the SE version which had a modified cylinder head, dual SU HD6 carburetors, and larger exhaust valves bringing the horsepower rating to 210. Performance was further increased in 1958 when Jaguar enlarged the bore bringing the liter capacity to 3.8 and the horsepower rating to 220. The 'S' model featured three SU HD8 carburetors and a modified cylinder head bringing the horsepower rating to 260.

The XK120 suffered from poor steering. This was resolved by the adaptation of a rack-and-pinion unit on the XK140. The XK150 used the similar rack-and-pinion configuration, though still lacking power-assistance. The chassis was also similar to its predecessor. Disc brakes were standard on all four corners of the vehicle. The wheels could be ordered as Wire or as discs wheels.

Improvements continued in the interior of the vehicle. With roll-up door windows and door handles, the XK150 was more civilized. The longer hood meant the XK150 Roadsters were just a two seater unlike its 2+2 predecessors.

During its production lifespan lasting from 1958 through 1961, the Fixed Head Coupes were the most popular with 4445 examples being created. That figure was followed by the Drop Head Coupes with around 2670 examples. There were around 2260 Roadsters produced. The Roadster production figures would have been higher if they had not been introduced ten months after the Fixed and Drophead Coupe versions.

The XK150 continued the elegance and performance established by the XK120 and reinforced by the XK140. The long flowing lines of the hood gracefully curved towards the vertical grille which hid a potent engine that made the car legendary.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
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Average Auction Sale: $73,893

 
Jaguar: 1961-1970
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Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
April 20131,141 
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1.5 Litre
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S-Type
SS 100
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X-Type
XF
XJ
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XJ220
XJR Group 44, IMSA, and Group C
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Image Left 1960 XK-150
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