1960 Jagaur XK150 3.8-Litre Drophead Coupé
Registration no. 206 YUF
Chassis no. S838656DN
Engine no. VA1518-8

'The Jaguar XK150 is undeniably one of the world's fastest and safest cars. It is quiet and exceptionally refined mechanically, docile and comfortable... we do not know of any more outstanding example of value for money.' - The Autocar.

What would turn out to be the final glorious incarnation of Jaguar's fabulous 'XK' series of sports cars arrived in 1957. As its nomenclature suggests, the XK150 was a progressive development of the XK120 and XK140, retaining the same basic chassis, 3.4-litre engine and four-speed Moss transmission of its predecessors while benefiting from a new, wider body that provided increased interior space and improved visibility courtesy of a single-piece wrap-around windscreen, replacing the XK140's divided screen. Cleverly, the new body used many XK120/140 pressings, the increased width being achieved by means of a 4"-wide central fillet. A higher front wing line and broader radiator grille were other obvious differences, but the new model's main talking point was its Dunlop disc brakes. Fade following repeated stops from high speed had been a problem of the earlier, drum-braked cars, but now the XK had stopping power to match its prodigious straight-line speed.

Introduced in the spring of 1957, the XK150 was available at first only in fixed and drophead coupé forms, the open roadster version not appearing until the following year. At 190bhp, the engine's maximum power output was identical to that of the XK140 so performance was little changed. 'Special Equipment' and 'S' versions came with 210 and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. This was achieved by the introduction of the Weslake-developed 'straight-port' cylinder head, high-compression pistons, triple 2" SU carburettors and twin electric fuel pumps.

Overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox were the transmission options, the latter becoming an increasingly popular choice, while a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential was available for the XK150S. Steel wheels remained the standard fitting, though XK150s so equipped are a great rarity, as most were sold in SE (Special Equipment) specification with centre-lock wire wheels. The much-admired chromed Jaguar mascot was made available as an optional extra on an XK for the first time.

In the autumn of 1959 the XK150 became available with the 3.8-litre engine first seen in the Mark IX saloon. 'Standard' (220bhp) or 'S' (265bhp) states of tune were offered (the latter featuring overdrive as standard) and in either form the XK150's increased weight was more than offset by the power of the larger engine, the car regularly recording in excess of 130mph in magazine road tests.

Representing the XK150 in its ultimate configuration, with the 3.8-litre engine and overdrive gearbox, this left-hand drive drophead coupé was manufactured in January 1960 and supplied directly to the Jaguar main dealership in New York, USA. Its first owner was a Mr J M Boscoe of Sacramento, California. Subsequently sold to a new owner in Nevada, the XK remained there until it was discovered, completely intact, having being well stored for a number of years after completing only 40,000 miles from new.

In 2009, the vendor brought the Jaguar back to the UK where a thorough examination revealed that it was completely original, from the matching numbers of all components through to the bodywork, which exhibited few signs of corrosion having been preserved by Nevada's dry atmosphere. The car has since undergone a complete, 'body off', bare metal restoration plus an engine strip down and rebuild. These works were carried out by MRC Restoration (winner of the 2014 NEC Classic Car Show 'Best of Show' award with another XK150, a sister car to this example) while the interior was re-trimmed by the world class Suffolk and Turley of Coventry. Offered with the associated restoration invoices and a V5C document, '206 YUF' has since won several concours events and may be considered a truly 'best in class' example.