1957 | Jaguar XK 150 DHC

Originally built as a 3.4 litre automatic example for export to the USA, this splendid, upgraded XK150 has been in the UK for many years. It has a large history file documenting the major expenditure on upgrades, including a rebuilt unleaded 3.8 litre engine, Broad Sport 5-speed gearbox, electric power steering, Fosseway high performance disc brakes; uprated cooling system; electronic ignition; XK number plate and much more. The result is a magnificent long distance touring car of a much higher specification than contemporary SE models.

The Heritage Certificate confirms that this Jaguar XK150 DHC was manufactured in September 1957 for the export market and is one of the earliest examples built. The car features the attractive aluminium centre dash and deeper number plate plinth which were revised on later XK150s.




Believed to have returned to the UK early in its life, nothing is known of the car's early history until 1996 by which time it was owned by a Ms K McRoberts of London and Devizes and bore the registration number 187 DYS. It is interesting to note that the V5 shows a UK first registration date of August 3rd, 1961. Ms McRoberts sent the car to Prime Coachworks of Melksham, members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen, who restored the bodywork and repainted it in the current Old English White between 1996 and 1998, at that time over £20,000 was spent. During the restoration, the interior was retrimmed in red leather.




It passed to XK specialists Twyford Moors of Hampshire from whom the next owner bought it in December 1999. He kept it for the next fourteen years. A big investment was made with work from Twyford to get the car in tip-top order for a European tour the owner was planning.

This included having most of the brightwork re-chromed; fitting a new set of chrome wire wheels with new tyres; a halogen headlamp conversion; new windscreen; new wiring loom; Facet fuel pump; recored radiator; Kenlowe fan; alternator conversion; full stainless steel exhaust system; inertia reel seat belts; battery management system; Motorola radio converted to receive FM with speakers in the rear parcel shelf; full service etc – the indicated mileage at this point being 75,300.




By 2005 the car had covered 82,000 miles and it was sent to Racing Green Cars of Hampshire for a full service and a check-over, their report stating:

"the car drives extremely well and rates amongst the most pleasant XK150s we have ever driven”.




By 2008 the car had covered 87,000 miles and the engine was past its best, so it was sent to GRL Motors of Woking for a detailed examination. This resulted in a host of mechanical improvements being carried out including a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings, timing chain, reground crank, unleaded head etc. The carbs were sent to Burlen Systems to be rebuilt along with the AED cold-start mechanism. It also gained electronic ignition, a high-torque starter motor plus dozens of other new parts, the invoice running to fourteen pages in length and totalling £17,013.




By 2011 the car had covered just under 90,000 miles and the suspension was overhauled with new Koni Classic shock absorbers all round.




In 2014 the car was back up for sale at Twyford Moors and was acquired by the next owner who promptly began a further programme of improvements and upgrades. These included a new set of chrome wire wheels, shod with Avon TurboSteel tyres which cost £2,384 including fitting and balancing. Electric power steering was also fitted at a cost of £3,500. The suspension received new polybushes throughout, along with an uprated anti-roll bar, and the front brakes were upgraded with Fosseway Performance four-pot aluminium calipers and braided hoses, the cost totalling £2,423. A new Hayward & Scott stainless steel exhaust system was also fitted along with an uprated aluminium radiator at a cost of £2,998.




In 2015 the car was converted from automatic transmission to Broad Sport 5-speed manual by Pitt Lane of Winchester. They also fitted a lightened flywheel, a new clutch kit and pedals plus all associated hydraulics, this work costing approx. £11,500 including parts and fitting. There is also an invoice from Guy Broad for a pair of D-Type camshafts (£521) although whether these were actually fitted is not clear. The registration number 187 DYS was also replaced by the valuable and model-appropriate 50 SXK number which remains on the car today.




In 2017 at 93,858 miles, the unleaded cylinder head was rebuilt by Twyford Moors who also rebuilt the carburettors, fitted K&N air filters, and overhauled the rear brakes/handbrake at a cost of £8,395.




In 2018 the car returned to Twyford Moors and the block (which is believed to be original to the car) was removed, bored out to 3.8 litres before being fitted with new pistons and bearings. The crankshaft and clutch were balanced, modern oil seals, uprated oil pump, spin-off oil filter conversion, and new engine mountings were fitted, the cost of this work was £8,723.




The next owner acquired the car from Twyford Moors in May 2019 for £90,000 and continued to improve the XK still further. This included a new cloth headlining, (£2,520) and a full service/check over by WinSpeed of Guildford with associated work at a cost £3,900.




The odometer currently shows 95,100 miles and given that the car has done fewer than 1500 miles since the engine was rebuilt, it performs superbly. With all the right upgrades, this very quick and well-sorted XK 150 is great vale at £89,995.