1959 Jaguar XK150 - today's tempter
Rare high-performance drophead
It all started with the post-war launch of the shapely XK120, penned by the legendary William Lyons. Jaguar coupes, dropheads and roadsters of this period are among the most elegant the company ever made. And where the XK120 may be a slimmer shape, the XK150 was a more practical fit for anyone larger than a jockey.
For many enthusiasts of this period from the marque, these cars aren’t just about the elegant form, it’s also about that incredible straight six XK powerplant. As we note in a feature on the XK120 predecessor: "The car’s outstanding form tends to override one of its enduring qualities – the engine. The new 3.4-litre DOHC XK engine with alloy cylinder head, hemi-spherical combustion chambers was so robust it would live on well into the late 1980s in modified 3.8 and 4.2-litre form and become the maker’s prime power source."
This example is billed as an ultra-rare version with the Pinnacle Performance Package that includes triple SU carbs and a 265hp power claim. That’s matched to a four-speed transmission with manual overdrive.
It’s with the Healey Factory in Melbourne and is on the market for $265,000. Tel 03 9998 1695.
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