Jaguar XK 150 for Sale

The Jaguar XK150 is a sports car designed to replace the XK140. Although similar in appearance to its predecessor, the XK150 was radically different. It was produced between 1957 and 1960.

Jaguar XK150 engine history

The first production Jaguar XK150 vehicles were slower than the XK140, with a 3.4 litre straight six engine producing 210 BHP. This changed with the fitting of the SE engine that gave an appreciable power boost thanks to its revised cylinder head. Further power increases came in 1958, were triple SU carburettors became available to the Jaguar for the first time. The extra carb, coupled with improvements to the exhaust profile gave the Jaguar XK150 250 BHP, propelling it into sports car territory. Further improvements came in 1959 with the standard 3.4 litre power unit being bored out to 3.8. This final variant allowed the Jaguar to top 135 mph and accelerate to 60 mph in approximately seven seconds.

Inside the Jaguar XK150

The Jaguar XK150 differed from the 140 in a number of ways. The windscreen was a one-piece unit as opposed to the split screen arrangement with the bonnet widened and opening down to the wings. Inside, the doors were thinned to allow more passenger space and a leather trimmed dashboard replaced the walnut unit used in the 140. On the roadster variant, the windscreen was situated 102 millimetres back from the fixed head, to give a longer bonnet. Chassis and running gear for the Jaguar XK150 was based on the 140, with rack and pinion steering as standard. Power steering was never an option made available.

Performance

The performance of the Jaguar XK150 varied, dependent upon the engine variant. The initial 150’s were arguably underpowered for the sports market but Jaguar quickly addressed the issue with the release of the 3.4 SE model. The Motor magazine tested a XK150 S in 1959 and suggested a top speed of 132 mph from the 250 BHP 3.4 litre fixed head Coupe. This was, at the time, the fastest hardtop vehicle that they had tested.

Production statistics

The total production run of the Jaguar XK150 was 9382 being split between 2672 Drophead Coupes, 4445 fixed head Coupes and 2265 Roadsters. Production was ceased for the XK150 in 1960.