Jaguar XK 150 S FHC (1960)

With just 115 UK RHD Home Market Jaguar XK150 3.8 Litre “S” cars ever built, this is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the rarest of XK150 variants. Making this car even more sought after and desirable is the fact is indeed a matching numbers car, still in its original colour scheme of Sherwood Green with Biscuit leather retaining its original registration mark 5552 PX. From the present Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate, we can confirm this car was distributed by Henlys, London, and supplied new to a Mr F W Oxley by Fields Engineering in Crawley, Sussex and according to the book ‘Jaguar XK140/150 IN Detail’ by Anders Ditlev Clausanger, this example is the 79th RHD FHC 3.8 S built.

5552 PX spent its early life in the UK before residing in Austria where it spent over 20 years. The XK formed part of a private collection, spending much of its life in a small museum. The XK150 returned to the UK and in December 2017 the car sold at the Bonhams Bond Street Sale for £186,300. The XK has been back in the UK for three years and has the feel of a wonderfully cared for, honest and correct car. There is no doubt at some points in its earlier years it has had some refurbishment work with key signs being an immaculate and outstanding spare wheel area/boot floor, beautifully finished engine bay and the underside is incredibly clean, sharp and well presented. The body features lovely flat panels, exceptional gaps and the very much older paintwork gives off the feel of a very original car. The chrome work is of a superb standard and the Biscuit leather trim is very impressive, as are the carpets, dash, headlining and fully working instruments. The chassis and general underbody is first class and presented exceptionally well.

On the road this XK150 S really comes to life as its quite simply outstanding in every respect. Not only does the rasp of the exhaust enhance the experience, the 3.8 engine is perfectly set up and offers exhilarating performance. 5552 PX is quick, feels strong, powerful and its engine holds particularly good oil pressure. The Moss gearbox is lovely to use, its long-throw changes are what you would expect of a recently rebuilt gearbox, or low mileage car, just effortless and the test of dropping down from third to second on the overrun reveals an excellent strong second gear syncro. The 150 S handles superbly, holds the road beautifully, brakes pull up straight and there is no doubt this should be a car driven regularly, ideal for long distance regular touring which it is so capable of. Fitted with 72 spoke chrome wires, Blockley radial tyres, this is a car that looks as it drives, remarkably impressive with the feel of an honest, unmolested car that will not disappoint.