1961 Jaguar XK150

The Jaguar XK150 was introduced a decade after the arrival of its predecessor, the XK120, yet retained a strong family resemblance on the outside while embracing tremendous mechanical changes underneath. The XK140 that was built between the XK120 and XK150, was a transitional model, while the XK150 was a thorough updating of the XK look with a styling progression that moved Jaguar from the 1940s into the 1960s. The small glass area of the previous cars was greatly enlarged for improved visibility and modernized with a one-piece wraparound windshield design. The slab-sided body and thin doors were very modern, and the interior room and comfort were dramatically increased. For the first time, larger real roll-up glass windows were used, and Jaguar's Le Mans boot badge was updated with an ever-growing list of victories. The interior did away with the previous high-maintenance wood veneer, opting instead for an entirely new roadster-style aluminum and padded leather dash. Front-wheel disc brakes were standard on all XK150s, a big improvement over the previous drum brakes, which would experience 'fade' following repeated stops from high speed. With the disc brakes installed, the XK had stopping power to match its prodigious straight-line speed.

The Jaguar XK150 was announced in its home market in May 1957 and production would continue through 1961, with 9,382 examples built during that time. The much-admired chromed Jaguar mascot was made available as an optional extra on an XK for the first time.

Mechanical Specification

The X-frame chassis had a 102-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 177 inches, and was 62.2 inches wide. Although it used the same basic chassis as its predecessor, its body was wider and although it used many XK120/140 pressings, the increase was achieved by means of a 4-inch wider central fillet. A higher front wing line and broader radiator grille were other visual differences.

The suspension and chassis were similar to the XK140, with an independent front setup with wishbones and a torsion bar, while the rear relied on a live axle with half-elliptic leaf springs. Steering was via a manual-only rack and pinion system. In 1960, four-wheel Dunlop 12-inch disc brakes became optional. Factory specification 6.00 × 16 inch Dunlop Road Speed tires or optional 185VR16 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 radials could be installed on either 16 × 5K½ solid wheels or optional 16 × 5K wire wheels.

XK Engine

The William Heynes designed 3.4-litre Jaguar XK double overhead camshaft inline-6 engine was similar to the XK140's, but with a new 'B' type cylinder head that boosted output to 180 (SAE) bhp at 5,750 RPM. It had double SU HD65 carburetors and the bore measured 83 mm and the stroke of 106mm.

A fire at the factory in February 1957 caused a twelve-month delay of special equipment models with the more potent SE engine and disc brakes. Upgrades included a modified B-Type cylinder head with larger exhaust valves and twin 1.75-inch SU HD6 carburetors which helped increase output to 210 (SAE) BHP at 5,500 RPM and, even more noticeably, an 11% increase in torque. Most of the export cars received the SE improvements.

The open two-seater could also be purchased with an 'S' engine which had three 2-inch SU HD8 carburetors and a straight-port cylinder head, bringing output to 250 (SAE) bhp.

In 1960, engineers took the 3.8-liter engine from the full-sized luxury Mark IX saloon and placed it into the bay of the XK150. This optional engine delivered 220 bhp in standard guise and 265 bhp in 'S' models.

Overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox were the transmission options, the latter becoming an increasingly popular choice, while a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential was available for the XK150 'S'.

Body Styles

Body styles included a fixed head coupe (FHC) and a drophead coupe (DHC), with a roadster version arriving the following year, in 1958. The Drophead coupes had a neater rear decklid than previous examples, along with unique chromed rain gutters and the convertible top had been styled to work harmoniously with the XK150's lines. It sealed tight to repeal water but could also fold swiftly into a compact, well-engineered bustle, complete with a tonneau.

Production

By the time production ceased in October of 1960, a total of 9,382 examples of the XK150 had been built. The most popular was the fixed head coup with 4,445 units built, followed by 2,672 of the drophead coupe and 2,265 of the roadster.

The XK150 was the final glorious incarnation of Jaguar's fabulous 'XK' series of sports cars.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible S
Chassis number: S838990
Engine number: 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 with its upgraded 3.8 liter engine. This rare and matching numbers example has had a complete concours restoration with everything on the car done to Jaguar standards both mechanically and cosmetically.

by Blackhawk Collection

by Jaguar

Convertible S
Chassis number: 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.

Convertible

The XK 150 was the last and most modern of the Jaguar XK series. This example is one of 2,672 XK 150 Drop Head Coupes produced between 1957 and 1960. The XK150 was a major body redesign vs. earlier XK's, featuring one-piece windshields. The 3.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine in this example produces 220 horsepower. A restoration was completed in 2014.

Convertible
Chassis number: S837285

Responding to the U.S. demands for more comfort and refinement, the XK 150 was introduced in mid-1957 and was the final iteration of Jaguar's XK-series. It was a progressive development of the XK120 and XK140, retaining the same basic chassis, 3.4-liter engine and four-speed Moss transmission of its predecessors. Modifications included higher front fenders, a curved one-piece windshield, a wider grille, and four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes. The latter earned Jaguar the distinction of being the first manufacturer to offer four-wheel disc brakes on a series-production car. Bodystyles initially included drophead and fixed head coupes, joined in March 1958 by a roadster. With nearly 9,400 examples of the XK 150 built through 1961 (approximately 75 percent were exported), it was the most popular XK of all.

This 1961 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe wears a bright red exterior with a black soft top and black leather interior. It has a wood grain and leather dash, Smiths gauges and a large four spoke steering wheel. The chrome wire wheels are wrapped in Firestone tires. The 3,442cc dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine has two SU carburetors and produces 190 horsepower at 5,50 RPM. This Jaguar began life with a 3.8-liter egnine, the powertrain was changed at some point in its life. There is a four-speed manual tranmsission with overdrive and the afforementioned disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

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 Dan Vaughan