This Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupé is an original UK right-hand drive car. Built in July 1960, it was finished in Carmen Red with a red interior and remains in its original colour scheme today.
This car comes complete with its original buff log book dating back to the 11th of November 1960, making this car a very rare and special thing indeed, having documented history going right back to the first owner. Indeed, the car appears to only be on its fourth owner which is quite the achievement in over sixty years! The first owner was a Robert Sutton who had a rather exclusive address near Marylebone Station in London. Mr Sutton appears to have not kept the car for long, selling it to a Michael Adler in November 1961 who had a WC1 postcode in London. By 1964 the car was with its third owner, a Mr John Rickards who seems to have kept the car for quite some years and took great care of it.
The history file contains letters and receipts relating to restoration work carried out by the car's Mr Rickards in the 1970s. Having owned the car from 1964 Mr Rickards had clearly become very attached to it. In 1972, he took it off the road to carry out a comprehensive restoration, including a full respray, a new hood and extensive trim work.
The correspondence makes for fascinating reading, particularly the noticeable change in tone of Jaguar's responses between 1972 and 1974 as Mr Rickards struggled to source the correct hood frame timber. By this stage, Jaguar seemed rather less enthusiastic about supporting a model that had passed its own stated "ten-year vehicle life". It is a reminder that sourcing parts for older Jaguars has never been an entirely new challenge. The letters continue until 1978, with Mr Rickards still searching for various components, including a particular rubber section, suggesting the car remained in his ownership throughout that period.
Since then, the XK150 has clearly been very well maintained. Invoices show considerable expenditure over the past decade under the care of its current owner, with numerous improvements carried out. Today, the car presents beautifully, with sharp paintwork, excellent panel fit, bright chrome and a very smart interior. Sensible upgrades include an alternator, electric cooling fan, electric power steering, upgraded front brakes, uprated shock absorbers and colour-matched seat belts.
Out on the road, this is an exceptionally pleasant car to drive. It feels comfortable, refined and reassuringly solid, with an excellent ride and smooth, effortless power delivery. The overdrive gearbox makes it particularly well suited to longer motorway journeys. This XK150 is a born-and-bred touring car, ready to be enjoyed on the open road and taken to shows throughout the summer.
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