Jaguar XK150 3.8 SE FHC RHD 1960 – SOLD

This rather interesting XK150 fixedhead coupe is a rare and desirable SE (special equipment) 3.8-litre car. Towards the end of the XK production run the 3.8-litre engine which was destined to be fitted to the E-Type was available as an option. It seems that this option was rarely selected making this 3.8-litre XK150 rather rare. To make this car even more unusual it was originally built with a 7:1 compression ratio (lower than standard) which we have never seen before on a 3.8 litre car. One suspects this was specified as the car was exported to Nigeria where the quality of the fuel may not have been as good as that in the UK.

This XK150 was manufactured in March 1960 and exported to Nigeria by Mandilas & Karaberis of Lagos. Mandilas & Karaberis was a trading firm which had held a contract to import Jaguars since 1951 and went on to import Triumphs and Volkswagens. The car's first owner was Lt. Col. D. M. Aston who was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during WW2. One would assume that this car was imported specifically for him. Originally finished in Cream with a Red interior it is safe to assume a car like this would have made quite a stir on the streets of Lagos in 1960.

By 1971 the car was back in the UK and belonged to Pamela Cook of Maidstone in Kent. A year later the car was sold to Adrin Cook of Herne Bay Kent. It seems the car remained in Kent with Mr Cook for most of the 1970s. In 1978 this XK150 was in Taunton, Summerset with a Mr Stanway but later that year the MOT certificate shows the car had made its was to Forfar near Arbroath in Scotland. The next owner appears to have been John Millar of Arbroath who certainly owned the car in 1980 but one would assume was the owner when the car was MOT’d in Forfar in 1978. The car then stayed with John Millar until he sold it to the current owner in approximately 2010 who returned it to Kent.

In the hands of its current owner, the car has been extensively recommissioned. Between 2010 and 2013 the car underwent much restoration work including an engine and gearbox rebuild and interior retrim by notable specialists. The car's owner had their own garage and carried out the chassis and body repairs though it appears the car required relatively little work in this regard. They also carried out the full respray of the car. The seats have been upgraded but the original seats are available with the car. The car was fully rewired and upgraded with an alternator and electric power steering. The braking system was fully rebuilt with uprated front callipers and the suspension received polyurethane suspension bushes and new shock absorbers. Other worthwhile upgrades include an electric cooling fan, electronic ignition and three-point seat belts.

Although extremely smart this XK150 needs some mechanical recommissioning. As the photos show the car looks stunning and is running and driving. This XK is being marketed at a very competitive price as an opportunity for the mechanically minded owner to get it back up to top condition or to leave a suitable budget for the buyer to have a specialist undertake the work. Structurally the car is sound and the engine and gearbox are in good condition. There are a few relatively minor mechanical matters which require attention so please do get in touch to discuss these. This is a fantastic value car which offers much scope for improvement.

SOLD