1958 Jaguar XK150

This very special vehicle was sourced in Germany in 2015 by David Hall of Harrison Automotive (Guernsey) on behalf of the vendor, also a resident of Guernsey.

This car left the factory in 1958 as a XK150 3.4 STD (not SE or S) FHC.

The car had been living for some time in Germany, and we believe it was during this period that it was converted to a 3.8-litre, using an engine (RA 4970-9) from a XKE Series 1 E Type dating from around 1963.

These engines were a direct follow-on from those featured on the XK150 'S' and had a power output of 265 bhp and gold-coloured cylinder heads (as opposed to the pumpkin-coloured head on the XK150 ‘S’).

Mr. Hall drove the car over 900 miles from Germany back to Guernsey and reported back to the vendor that the car drove perfectly well and didn’t miss a beat on the journey.

All manner of work was then done to the car by Harrison Automotive and other specialists between 2015 and 2019, with the first major tranche of work costing the best part of £100,000.

Today, the car has (dual circuit) disc brake upgrades all-round, an uprated 5-speed Borg Warner gearbox, exhaust and throttle, new alternator, new wire wheels and tyres, LED lighting, an electronic ignition system, PAS, an extended sports pedal-box and a battery c-charger connector at the front bumper (the battery has been moved to the nearside wing).

It also has a fully refurbed/restored interior in burgundy leather with a walnut dash and inserts.

For comfort, the car’s seats are from an early Jaguar XJ-S. The original, refurbished XK150 bucket seats are also with the car.

It also has a retro/modern radio with Bluetooth and an electric antenna.

Finally, and very unusually, the car has been expertly wrapped in PPF in order to protect it from the elements and keep the salty air of the Channel Islands at bay.

The car was registered for road use in Guernsey in May 2019 and has covered fewer than 1000 miles since.

Once the vendor has the name and address of the successful bidder, he will submit the information to the local Guernsey DVLA who will then send a certificate of export to the buyer.

Unsurprisingly, the bodywork is really very good on a car that’s had circa £100,000 spent on its restoration and there are no dents, creases or dinks of any significance to report.

The black paintwork, too, is largely excellent and the enveloping PPF helps give the finish a depth of shine that is really very impressive from every angle.

The shut lines and panel gaps are crisp and consistent, although the passenger door (as per a comment from the seller) requires someone strong to open it!

Thanks in part to the PPF, the car is notably free of scratches, paint chips, road rash and other blemishes.

We did notice a small patch of discoloured paint beneath the film on the boot lid and some rippling under the PPF in the crease of the swage line beneath the passenger door window.

We also spotted what looks like a couple of small spots of blistering beneath the film on the bonnet and some cracks to the paint around the boot lock mechanism and at the base of the n/s/f wing by the end of the bumper.

The wire wheels and chrome work are excellent all-round.

So, too, are the lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings, although there are a couple of scratches on the windscreen.

The interior is pretty much immaculate – as you would hope and expect of a car that’s covered fewer than 1000 miles since being restored.

The XJ-S seats are comfortable, supportive and in very fine fettle. They can of course, be replaced by the original (but expertly refurbished) bucket seats that come with the car.

The wood veneers on the dashboard and other inserts are rich, glossy and unsullied by any scratches or marks.

The carpets, mats, roof lining and door cards are all equally good.

So, too, are the dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever and other controls.

We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or pull every toggle, but everything we did manage to press, flick and pull worked as intended.

The boot looks very good and contains what looks like the original leather tool roll.

The engine and engine bay look clean and dry, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity.

This car’s restoration and recent history are very thoroughly documented, photographed and recorded.

The car comes with all manner of letters, bills, invoices, receipts….and other reassuring indicators of diligent and uncompromising curation.

Nothing we’ve seen has given us cause to frown, tut or slowly shake our heads.

In terms of provenance post-2015, it’s all good as far as we can tell.

This is a very classy, fully restored, eminently usable and properly sorted XK150.

It goes as well as it looks, and it looks fabulous.

It’s really very impressive indeed.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.