Lot 176 - 1958 Jaguar XK150SE Drophead Coupé

Although having a family resemblance to the XK120 and XK140, the XK150 was radically modernised. A one piece windscreen replaced the split screen and the wing line no longer dropped as much over the doors. The bonnet was also widened, opened down to the wings and on the roadster, the bulkhead was moved back four inches to make the bonnet longer. In the interior, the XK140's walnut dashboard was replaced by one trimmed in leather and chrome. On the early drophead coupés, an aluminium centre dash panel with an X pattern engraving was fitted which looked similar to the early 3.8 litre E-Type. The standard engine, the same as fitted to the XK140, was the 3.4 litre DOHC Jaguar straight six rated at 180bhp at 5750rpm but most cars were fitted with the SE engine that had a modified cylinder head with larger exhaust valves rated at 210bhp at 5500rpm. The four-wheel Dunlop 12" disc brakes appeared for the first time although it was theoretically still possible to order a car with drums. Either wire wheels or disc wheels could be specified. These were high performance, well appointed sports touring cars capable of 137mph and 0-60 in 7.8 seconds and could comfortably accomplish long distances with alacrity.

This original righthand drive, drophead coupé was originally sold by the Grimsby dealer ‘Baines Bros.’ to Samuel E Saunders Gainsborough with the original log book detailing its history included within the history file. The current owner, a long time connoisseur of the XK marque, has just had carried out an extensive ‘nut & bolt’ restoration with body panels, where required, fitted by Contour Autocraft and a complete re-trim by Erick Suffolk of Suffolk & Turley. It is generally accepted that both companies are amongst the best in their field. The engine, which had only a mileage of 47,500, has undergone a full refurbishment with the head converted to take unleaded petrol. The gearbox is an automatic unit making for comfortable long-distance touring if required and includes a number of factory fitted extras such as an engine pre-heater, extremely rare on any Jaguar model. Taken to France and used to tour the countryside for the last two years, the vendor has driven down to the Alpes and back, all through the Burgundy region then on to the Champagne region ending up touring through Kent & Oxford, the result is a thoroughly tried and tested motorcar that drives smoothly through the very desirable automatic gearbox and presented in stunning condition throughout.