1958 Jaguar XK150

The Jaguar XK120 was the company's first sports car since the SS 100 production ended in 1939. It was introduced at the 1948 London Motor Show and designed by Jaguar Chief Engineer William Heynes. The first 242 examples built wore wood-framed open 2-seater bodies and were clothed with aluminum panels. Production soon switched to heavier all-steel in early 1950, and eventually offered in three body styles that included the open 2-seater, a fixed head coupe (from 1951), and finally a drophead coupe from 1953. Production continued until 1954 with 12,055 examples built.

The XK120 was followed by the Jaguar XK140 in 1954 and was produced until 1957. Distinguishable exterior changes to its illustrious predecessor included more substantial bumpers with overriders and dash switch-operated turn signals mounted above the front bumper. The grille was now a one-piece cast unit with fewer vertical bars, and a chrome trim strip ran along the center of the bonnet and boot lid with the celebratory words 'Winner Le-Mans 1951–3' enhancing the boot lid. the interior received additional room due to moving the engine, firewall, and dash forward by three inches. Power increased to 190 bhp in standard guise, and to 210 with the C-Type cylinder head installed. The total production reached 8,937 units with the majority being sent to the North American market.

The XK 150 was introduced in 1957 and remained in production until superseded by the E-Type in 1961. A total of 9,382 examples were built of which only 2,172 were left-hand drive 'open two seater' models. The roadster version is the rarest XK 150 model, now with roll-up windows and thorough weather protection. While the XK had become more 'civilized' it still retained the ingredients that made it special, including its powerful dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine. It even retained the traditional roadster's window sill dip and top that was fully enclosed when retracted creating an exceptionally attractive profile.

Revisions to the bodywork were subtle and mainly done to add interior room for the driver and passenger. The revised fender line made room for a wider cowl and windshield and fed into thinner doors that much-improved comfort. Disc brakes were added after their effectiveness had been proven by the C-Types at Le Mans.

The 3.4-liter dual overhead cam straight-6 XK engine was similar to its predecessors, but the new 'B' Type cylinder head raised power to 180 (SAE) bhp at 5,750 RPM. Following a twelve-month delay caused by a fire at the factory in February of 1957, the release of special equipment models was introduced in the spring of 1958. These models came with disc brakes and more powerful engines modified with twin 1.75-inch SU HD6 carburetors and a modified B-Type cylinder head with larger exhaust valves. Most of the export cars were SE models. An 'S' engine was also optional that included three 2-inch SU HD8 carburetors and a straight-port cylinder head boosting power even further.

As production was coming to a close, the 3.8-liter engine from the Mark IX saloon became available, boosting power to 265 horsepower. Four-wheel Dunlop 12-inch disc brakes appeared for the first time as an option.

production came to a close in October of 1960 after 2,265 roadsters, 4,445 fixed head coupés, and 2,672 drophead coupés had been built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019