the cat is out of the bag . . .

9,412 · January 25

Well it seems as if the cat is out of the bag.. -=

I mention it to one friend and half an hour later another calls me to ask ; Is it true.?

Yes indeed., Bye, bye, Katie ...my fun little Triumph TR4a has been sold and collected.. Thankfully it's winter and wet out, so I don't miss her as much as I might otherwise have ..had she been sold during the summer months.

Still, it seems odd, and somehow hollow to not have her waiting in the garage.

Of course, I still have Burble the Daimler 250 V8 ..and as some of you will have seen - she's also reluctantly for sale. In many ways I wish I had a six car garage. Conversely, although I'm not sure if I have the strength to keep half a dozen cars maintained and on the road, I'm absolutely certain that I don't have the money to do so !

Burble, and yes elegantly beautiful - I have actually polished her . . .

Duncan asked me the next question

" I wouldn't want to steal any thunder, but with Katie gone and Burble on the way, XXXXX incoming ? "

"Well, Yes" I replied

. .

.

"After 30 years of secretly drooling over every one I've seen, even total basket cases - I've now found one.

Many a normal person buys something, and then after a while, a few years perhaps, moves on to buy something newer / more modern / more spacious / more refined / better spec'd / easier to maintain / more economical / cheaper to insure / needing less amount of work / more suitable for everyday busy life / ....all of the aforementioned !

Don't tell anyone but it may be that I am not quite normal :blink: ! ?

I've spent weeks doing my homework, before buying a XXXXX, looking at several on the internet, including a RHD example in Belgium, and a LHD one in the US ..both would have made interesting collection stories, but for numerous 'good and sensible reasons' I didn't. And then when one came up in Kent, I literally contacted him the hour I saw it, and drove down there two days later.

I'm sure my experiences with Katie, and with Burble, and with the two XXXXX I went down south of London to look at and drive a year ago - made a huge difference to my pre-purchase mindset and inspection. In short, I was careful but have now bought an XXXXX, which I've named 'Carmen' ..And she was delivered on Wednesday.

Up until the vehicle delivery driver called at 11:45am that morning, to say he'd be with me in an hour, I didn't actually believe it was actually happening. To me it's nothing short of incredulous !

The origins of this story goes back sixty years... My father was in the RAF and my brothers and I were boys. As a family were stationed in Singapore. And typically - as one serviceman's tour of duty ended., he'd sell his car to the next guy. My Dad was there at the right time to buy a 1950's Jaguar Big saloon. I honestly cannot remember if it were a Mk.VII or one of the two subsequent models, but to me (the youngest of three boys) it were truly wonderful ! And ever since then (as I say - sixty years now) I've loved the idea of owning a such a Jaguar. And just now - it has actually happened.!

I had a Jaguar back in the late 1990's, while working (design engineering in ship building) in the US. But that was a project car whose beautiful straight six-cylinder dohc engine had long before been swapped out for a big block Chevy V8. Mind you I didn't see that motor either, because when I bought that car - it had no engine or gearbox, drive-shaft, or even the correct rear axle, The bulkhead / 'firewall' had been butchered. There were no carburettors, manifolds, exhaust or starter motor, or most any other ancillary necessary either. Nor did she have any seats or interior trim (but for the dashboard and steering), nor even a roof. ...But the rest of it was really solid ! :-D ... albeit a little scruffy.

As is my way - I'd spent quite a bit of time and a lot of money finding suitable components to put her back together again. But then alas.. I was made redundant (..twice in three years) and had to leave the US (for reasons of "no work no visa"). Bottom line ; Redundancy + unpaid relocation back to England + being out of work and no home = I had to sell the car very quickly, and for whatever I could get. $6,000 as a project, now with engine (in bits) and gearbox, and she was structurally very sound, and the body was in good shape but needing paint.

36 years later - " I'm Back ! " :whacky055:

However... Despite the fact that I love the prospect of owning a Jaguar Big Saloon, as I close towards 70 years old - I still like to drive (not just sit behind a steering wheel and doodle along).

I was so darned fortunate to have the TR4A and the Daimler 250 at the same time. Each car is a good driver and each has it's own great merits - but at opposite ends of the design spectrum. Driving them back-to-back really illustrated just how much I most enjoy a car with the power to accelerate, and the balance and suspension & weight distribution to handle corners ..albeit this has to be read in context of classic car standards. Things have moved on a long way since the 1960's.

Katie's power-to weight and nippy handling are great fun, and Burble is eloquent, comfortable and smooth with a fantastic engine. 'Carmen' is much the same weight as Burble, but a good amount of that mass is low down in her chassis.

^ She has the beautiful straight-six dohc (long stroke) Jaguar XK engine which delivers 220bhp ...with oodles of torque. Conversely, Katie has 100bhp, and Burble 140bhp ..again with lots of torque. Alas, Katie's fun and lightweight nippiness comes with a penalty in both diminutive size and in rattles (lightweight build), while Burble's comfort comes with a weight penalty - which curbs acceleration and because she sits tall - she rolls around corners. The XK engine offers the power-to-weight advantage over the Daimler's 2.5 ltr V8.. by a whopping 250-foot lead in the zero to quarter mile.

Admittedly the XKXXX's handling is not as nippy around roundabouts as Katie, not least because her wheelbase is 14" (17%) longer, but with her weight low down she's no slouch in an armchair either. Let us perhaps consider the analogy of a fit Labrador -vs- a Springer Spaniel. And in the classic car world .. that's appropriate for a leather-padded Grand Tourer -vs- a seat-of-the-pants sports car.

^ Some of you may remember I also had 'Flirt' ..a 1966 Jaguar S-type, with the 3.8 litre engine in it. When was that ? back around 2015 I think. Lovely car, also in Carmen red. She had a wonderful biscuit coloured interior (well it was lovely after I'd spent many an hour cleaning it and feeding the leather). I very much liked that car, with its superb IRS suspension The ride was superb ..even though she also rolled a lot in corners. But as always.., I was living on a tight budget and couldn't afford it. I had spent hours going through its cooling system, including replacing the engine's core plugs, and doing many tidying up tasks under the bonnet. And so when it had gearbox trouble (and I didn't have the facilities to lift its engine out) I took it to a garage here in west Suffolk.

They left the car out in all weathers. Weeks of delays in their re-fitting the rebuilt gearbox inadvertently led to paint blisters on its front wing. I'd just spent a thousand pounds on the gearbox and couldn't now afford to have paintwork refinished. I sold that car to David, who keeps in touch, and is still delighted with her.

It's only a matter of subjective opinion but, the S-type's styling doesn't quite work for a lot of folk, including myself. Shrouding over (well, sort of) the headlamps and spot / fog lamps, the front wings without side lights, and the car's elongated (very much more spacious !) rear-end - lost the something of the Jaguar's elegant balance between body line and chrome work. When driving her - she still felt like a heavy car, but perhaps now a bit softer ..particularly in cornering. The S-types were also beginning to get a bit overly complicated.

Another Bottom line ; Although I would have loved a 1950's Jaguar Mk.IX Big Saloon - I don't have a garage anywhere nearly big enough .. and I know in my heart of hearts that its performance and handling would be encumbered by the size and weight ..particularly around tight turns and along English country lanes.

As is often the case - It's all about horse for courses.

The XKXXX fixed-head has long since been my dream car (..I first drove one in the mid-90's). An Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, DB5 or 6 will always be out of my price range, and probably be a pain to live with too. But this Jaguar proved to be within my grasp (..finally ! ) ..and is structurally & technically just a little easier to live with than the Jaguar Mk.2, Daimler 250, or S-type. Mind you its H-rated 16" tyres are sodding expensive.!

Of course, I bought at the entry level - so I already have a list of jobs as long as a forearm ..and one of those first tasks is to gain another 5" extra legroom for the Bfg !

It's time for me to be going now, so I'll tell more ..anon

Bidding you all a very good evening,

Pete

January 25

Looking forward to getting more details of her. The pics will be welcome too.

32,996 · January 25

I can vouch that the new car looks beautiful from the photos, I look forward to seeing at the local shows!

17,850 · January 25

I was kinda hoping for a SP250...

All power to you, Pete.

9,412 · January 27

Hi guys, Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Katie has gone across to live near Bridgenorth. I think she's in good hands and I'll encourage the new owner to join us at the Malvern Showground in June for the big Triumph and classic car show. For him it'll only be a 45 mile trip.

'Daimler SP250' .. not this time.. although if I did buy one then I be thinking to make it into an SP252 replica. I like the look of that prototype.

2.

. . . as for Carmen . . .

well for the time being, as I sit down with a cup of coffee to write something - here are a few details photos which perhaps help to convey my almost life-long passion for 1950's Jaguars . . .

- - -

Stuart on the TR register forum suggests I'd bought an XK replica ; Certainly there are a number of details which are not true to the original. Although personally speaking, aside from the box over the gearbox tunnel and the radio plinth, I don't think they are too much of a distraction.

What do you think ?

Pete

7,898 · January 27

What a lovely thing.Hurry up and get taking it apart!

22,870 · January 27

Nice cars. Overlooked in the obsession with the later E-Type but much easier to live with and really quite quick too.

Looks a very nice one. I'm assuming it's got disc brakes? They really need these. First job I'd do is give the braking system a through going over as with these they are vital to be perfect given how quick the car is. Ditto the handbrake for any emergency.

For those who don't know these most will top 130mph and depending on the tune some will make 140mph+.

I had an XK140 - repeated use of the brakes used to induce massive brake fade so make sure everything is tip-top.

As for any modifications - you can get the brakes upgraded.

Inside is modded a bit but does it matter? Not really. I wonder what the history of the car is? Some have been brought back from the US and converted back to RHD and some automatics changed to manual but again does it matter - not really.

The coolest bit is the rear badge - with all the Le Mans wins set out.

Looks fun - and the hard top cars are very handsome and practical.

Only downsides are the fuel consumption which is under 20mpg in my experience. And they do get very hot inside given you are sitting right behind that huge cast-iron engine. Someone has vented the bonnet which is sensible - it's probably got an electric fan fitted - if not consider one.

The gearboxes are a bit agricultural - and if you want to go to the trouble worth fitting overdrive if it does not have it.

Very well served for spare parts etc.

Lovely. Lucky you. 😺

9,412 · January 27

lesapandre

I see you have practical experience of these cars. Good impression and good advice I think.

The E-type is a truly glorious motorcar, but I think not for me. Too glamorous for a simple fella and probably less than practical than an XK. I'm sure you've seen how I use my classic cars. Although it has been done, I should think fitting a towing hitch would be interesting with an E-type.

More on Carmen to follow, I'm sure mostly she would meet your approval.

Pete

9,412 · January 27

3.

.. After admiring but not being able to afford for all those years, the previous to last November (ie., at the end of 2024), I happened to spot not one but two XK150 Fixed Head Coupes for sale on Car & Classics ..that weren't light years beyond my financial reach. I wasn't looking but, as many of will know, it's very easy to wander across to a particular marque ..and model of car that you're particularly fond of ..just to daydream.

The timing was coincidental with my having sorted Katie out, as far as was practical for me to enjoy her as an attractive and reliable driver. It also coincided with my noticing that I was increasing having difficultly getting into such a low sports car. I'm okay but for the last 6 - 8" ..and then I found myself using my right forearm on the B-post to lower myself that last bit down. Age happens to all of us who haven't been killed off in the meantime. And when one's own age reaches that of where our parents had passed, then we know there's no going back. Naturally that happens to different persons at different ages, possibly dependent on one's own family genes and how physically fit and mentally astute you yourself have been over the previous five years. Whenever it does occur, 'mortality' becomes something that follows us around, albeit in our subconsciousness.

Most of the time I don't think about it, but when I do confront it - I had to face the fact that it would be fruitless to take on another 5 or 10 year restoration program. Sure I might get it finished, but would I then be fit enough to enjoy it.? Equally, of the vehicles and other interests I'm now fortunate to have accumulated, how many am I actually using and enjoying.? It's been 18 years since I sailed my boat, and five years since I frequently last used ..or worked on, either of my motorcycles.

I'm not nearly as bad as some. Of the four vehicles I ~~have~~ had - just one motorcycle is not on the road, and the boat is back in the water and I'm replacing its rigging stays ..ready for this summertime's use. Conversely, I have a several friends who have a number of non-running cars, &/or motorcycles, &/or boat, &/or a home abroad (in one instant) ..that just aren't likely to ever get done. The other aspect of 'life' has gotten in the way.

When hopes for Burble, my Daimler 250's restoration faltered (and the second body shell that I'd hoped to have fully restored), I had to acknowledge that I was in no position to do the task myself. Living in a rental apartment, doesn't come with a whole lot of working space for pulling cars apart.! I also faced the fact that since I lost my rental home on a farm four years ago, I've been paying for storage of 'stuff'

Bottom line ; declining mobility, too many projects, too much stuff, old age .. It was time I consolidated.

What would I keep ? Katie is a good car, but I'm too big for her. Burble is a good car, but really ought to be restored if I'm to continue to use her as a daily driver. The two Sunbeam motorcycles, I've not used for five years because my focus has been on the cars and boat. It seemed that if I sold up and consolidated their values ..and the time I put into each, then I can afford just one 1950's Jaguar. :huh:

- - -

The decision was made, consolidate. I put Katie on the market, for the Christmas / New Year holidays. Although not a very good time of year to sell an open top sports car, I hoped prospective buyers would be sitting around browsing the adverts during the break. If they were keen then they might even jump in their car to come and have a look. Car & Classics mucked up with one chap, by not conveying his message to me before he headed back down to Devon. otherwise there was a lot of watchers but not much proactivity.

Recognising my limitations, and the limits of under-cover parking spaces available to me.. I was determined not to buy a Jaguar until at least one ..either Katie or Burble was sold. Still that didn't mean I couldn't look at those two entry-level XK150's I'd seen advertised. One was in the south of London the other in East Sussex. I made appointments and drove down to see them. I looked at one, an unrestored and very standard light-grey car on the afternoon I drove down, and then stayed overnight at a local hotel, met up with my old college mate Chris for supper and a beer in the evening, and then looked at a restored and modified BRG green car the following morning.

Having learnt a lesson, from having bought Katie (during covid) .. to then be immediately faced with replacing her clutch, and then discovering cracks in her chassis, then sorting out water in the engine, I was now more careful. I took my trolley jack and spent a good amount of time under each Jag. The grey (very original) car drove well, and it was just as I remembered the XK150 had been, way back in the mid 1990's, when I was working in America. But the bottom of its doors had rusted out, and the engine was splattered with oily petrol deposits. The dipstick oil-level was high and, after taking advice, I suspected petrol had washed in passed the bores into the crankcase. I had done my homework and knew that a common fault with the XK engine was that the automatic (thermally switched) cold start enrichment tended to stick on. I'm guessing this had happened with this car. Damage hadn't yet been done, but the oil would need to be flushed and a manual switch was needed to protect the engine before it was driven again. The doors on these cars are very simple and so i wasn't really worried about those. The rest of the car appeared solid. Interior wise one seat squab was mismatched but otherwise original and un-resestored ..from 1958.

The seller (a dealer) didn't know, but the BRG green car, turned out to not also be a 1958 car but a 1957 example, The rear number plate plinth was a give away, and the books I consulted listed all the detail production changes. It had originally been a USA car with automatic transmission, when reimported it had been restored, converted to RHD and a manual gearbox fitted by Twyford Moors. Suspension & brakes had also been upgraded and the engine had been professionally rebuilt by Twyford Moors. The interior had also been retrimmed in fresh new leather. She looked good. Clearly a lot of money had been spent on this car, and first impression was one of *** Wow ! *** .. Most of the chrome work had been redone and the paint looked super under the showroom's spot-lamps. But the more I looked the more faults I saw in the paintwork. It was suspiciously like a cover-over paint job. Underneath there was freshly applied underseal. I hate underseal as nowadays it conceals all sorts of horrors. While under the car I happened to pull ..not very hard, at the bottom edge of the rear wing and the filler in it cracked. I did drive the car and it drove horribly. That is to say it didn't feel like the original XK150. the suspension was too hard, the retrimmed seats were the wrong shape, and the headlining too low so my head was against it, and the 5-speed gearbox was slick but soulless.

Either car could be reworked back to a good roadworthy condition, The grey car was a genuine car but needed a lot of money spent to make her tidy again. The BRG car was suspicious but perhaps wasn't as bad as the cover-up suggested. And adjusting or replacing the Spax would improve the ride.

Katie didn't sell, so I didn't have to make a decision. I happily used Burble through the spring time and then I happily used Katie through the summer months. For the time being I got on with getting Barbara-B my 1972 cruising catamaran ready to go back into the water. I refitted Katie's bumpers and wooden dashboard, removed the boot rack and (eventually) her towing hitch. I swapped the carpets back from green to black (with piped red floor mats), and the more comfortable TR6 leather seats to the seemingly more popular Mazda MX-5 seats. In essence I put Katie back to what prospective buyer might want in a near standard TR4A, and in September relisted her on e-bay and Car & Classics. I likewise put Burble for sale along with the rolling body shell that I'd now given up hope of restoring. There seemed to be a lot of watchers and a number of enquiries but few seemed to want to travel across to Suffolk to see her.

Whispers said "it is the uncertain economy, and that classic car prices were dropping. The market was collapsing" Certainly TR-GB sold some very low priced cars, while the top end of the market seemed very slow. To me it seemed that scaremongery and whispers was at the root of the problem, and that with a younger demographics of car enthusiast the pre and post war cars were finding less and less buyers. A number of cars were proposed in part or full exchange for Katie. A series 3 E-type, a rather nice looking Sunbeam convertible, a pair of Healeys, and a couple of others. It seemed as if the classic car market was in much the same position as selling houses ..where there were few people not in a chain.

Anyway, I split Burble and the rolling body shell into two separate adverts. And the Body shell was sold to a gent who races Mk.2 Jaguars at the likes of Goodwood Revival, his car was cracking up from the stress, and this (formerly 1964 Daimler automatic) body shell would find new and exciting purpose in life. Katie attracted more active interest as a near standard example, although there were still those who were looking for a £25,000 car for £15,000. I was now offering Katie's Surrey top with it bespoke lift of lid as an option to any buyer. They could have the soft-top if they preferred. By doing so I could drop the basic price. Of course without auction fees I'd get what was offered, and the buyer would pay what was agreed ..without a percentage being charged on top of that.

I've previously, written about selling Katie and so I'll not repeat yet again, save to say that the eventual buyer agreed to the asking price and also took the Surrey top. I' m sure Katie is a good and reliable car, and the price was a fair percent below Car & Classic's average, over the past year. But having made the decision to move on and consolidate - I'm happy with the agreement.

Burble is still being used, and still on the market for sale. There's recently been renewed interest and a gentleman has made an appointment to come up from the south coast to view her next Tuesday or Thursday (pending weather reports). If she sells then I can immediately save £100 a month on the 2nd car's storage.

In the meantime, back to this past Christmas - New year holiday period when I'd accepted a deposited on Katie - I could start shopping for an XK. Friends in both my local TR Register group and in my local TSSC groups said they wouldn't shun me, even though I'd no longer have a Triumph. I was very glad because these are my friends and I enjoy their company, whatever car I or they might turn up in. I'm still a Triumph enthusiast !

Time now for another cup of coffee. I'll continue with this discourse in a while (its wet and miserable outside anyway ! ) and perhaps even come back to correct any grammatical errors in the above .!

Pete.

14,749 · January 27

Some of your story sounds very similar to my situation.

2 Jags (well, in your case, a Daimler and a Jag) tight budgets and rented apartments. But of course, you've got yourself there some lovely machinery, as well as somewhere proper to store them.

It is a shame your having to sell the Daimler.

5,343 · January 27

I passed an XK travelling in the other direction about a week ago. I was very surprised as we are still in the middle of "salty season".

It too was red but not as shiny as your's.

9,412 · January 27

4.

40 minutes ago, Bfg said:

In the meantime, back to this past Christmas - New year holiday period when I'd accepted a deposited on Katie - I could start shopping for an XK.

Bearing in mind Katie was the most expensive car I've ever owned / sold and XK prices are way up there in the clouds, I was shopping to buy at XK entry level. The first I considered, and corresponded about, was (probably still is) a US car in central American. At currency conversion rates she was £28,000. That's a huge amount of money to me, but the plan was to consolidate the values of the Daimler rolling body shell + Katie + Burble into one. Once the others were sold - I could afford it.!

It turned out that the car, a white XK150 FHC, LHD but with manual gearbox and overdrive ..although running, was not driving. According to the seller (a veterinarian who had been brought up with the car in his family, and had recently inherited it).. it needed the brake and clutch master cylinders rebuilt. Also the fuel pump had recently packed up. The car looks straight, although the black interior looked sombre, the leather seats were okay and it was useable. I sort of hoped I might fly across and drive it around for a holiday before shipping it back, but it was no longer registered.. I looked into shipping and of course if the car is not running then it cannot be Ro-Ro (roll on roll off shipping). Shipping her in a container would cost twice, as it's not only shipping but overland (across states) transport that has to be considered. I figured that by the time I paid that, and the import tax of 5%, then I'd be just as well looking closer to home.

The next XK150 FHC I considered is in Belgium, consolidated by a dealer / collector. It's an original UK RHD car now finished in a mid-blue colour with a grey interior. Again I found grey and black interiors dismally dark and dull. Red or maroon, light or dark blue, tan, or even green is my preference. The blue I was unsure about. Jaguar did an indigo blue which was nice, but this blue (as photographed seemed more mid-blue, so to my weird subjectivities neither pretty nor elegant. It wasn't a deciding factor but equally it wasn't a plus.

I guess the seller had a lot of time wasters, because his correspondence wasn't exactly helpful. for example when I asked about the car's UK history there wasn't anything he could tell me. When I asked about the engine and cylinder head number (to check to see whether these were original at least to the date of that car ..which incidently was build number 22 after Malcolm Campbell's own Cotswold blue XK150 FHC. ) the dealer wasn't forthcoming. The Chrome on the car was good, the paintwork looked good, as did the wire wheels on the car ..but they are 15" rather than 16". I asked on Facebook groups if this was a common thing and a couple of guys said their own cars were too, but most responses were that the smaller wheels and tyres look oddly small in the wheel arches, like a kit car one chaps suggested. Still, I figured, if all else (especially underneath) was well with the car - these things were all easy to live with and could be changed a few years later. The wire wheels and tyres could be sold on to someone with a Mk.2 or an E-type to recoup a percentage of 16" wheels and tyres. Only after further research did I come to see how expensive classic profile high speed rated 16" tyres are !

The seller / dealer couldn't tell me what the original UK registration number was, nor was there the original registration paperwork. I phoned the DVLA and also HMRC to see what the situation was. Best to get a heritage certificate and then the car would have to be inspected and assigned an age-related plate. VAT would have to be paid on the value plus import tax. Suddenly the car was no longer so inexpensive ..in my terms, if otherwise still cheap for an XK. I withdrew my interest from this one as well.

No worries, I was in no rush ... I still had Burble to enjoy the springtime and summer with, at least until she also found a new home.

And then Carmen suddenly came onto the market. A bit flash for me .. a bright red Jaguar, but on the other hand - I liked her biscuit coloured interior. According to the advert she was originally black with the biscuit coloured leather. I bet she looked stunning. She was one of the later XK150's from 1960, and a US export LHD, automatic. Like many classic cars, she was repatriated (in 1989) and converted to RHD with manual gearbox. Thankfully she has the overdrive. Again enquiring via Facebook I've subsequently learnt the gearbox prefix is from an early XJ6 which has synchromesh on all forward gears. The old Moss gearbox didn't have the synchro on 1st.

I called the dealer, down in Kent to ask for more info, and he provided a link to a lot more photos. The car's VIN number corresponds to July 1960 build, and the engine number matches that date. She's a 3.8 ltr with VA prefix (ie., XK150) and suffix '9' (ie. 9:1 compression ratio) Of course I have no idea if it still has those pistons. Still we're talking about 220bhp for the standard 8:1 compression 3.8ltr and a whole lot of torque. . .

Those who know me, also know that I like a tidy engine bay ..and wires which do not have those horrid blue crimped connectors. This car's engine bay appearance won my instant approval. That is aside from the carburettor's bell-mouth trumpets. Bearing in mind she's a conversion from LH to RHD, and things like the coolant expansion tank has been added, she ain't 'alf bad.

On top of the forward carburettor's dashpot you can see oxidisation where rain water has dripped through the bonnet's non-original vents. It's not a biggie but I'd want to add a tray under the louvres.

^ To my eyes she looks to be a very attractive car. Well balanced in her design profile and chrome work adornments.

Like the earlier Triumph TR's the bottom of the doors are the visual sill line. That sill line, along with the highlight reflections and door shuts are an indication of her body restoration and 'sagginess' (if any) of the Chassis. The bonnet appears to be sitting a little high, but not disastrously so, and the wheels and tyres look to be good. The XK150 had disc braking on each corner, and a brake servo.

^ Very presentable IMHO

^ Yep, I like her looks. The chrome looked decent, and the highlights and reflections off the paintwork are not at all too horrid. The leather bonnet strap is a common accessory to safeguard against the rather crude bonnet latch from failing. The leaping Jaguar bonnet mascot was in fact fitted to very cars direct from the factory, but again is a popular option nowadays. The Le Man's style petrol filler cap is less usual. Originally the fuel filler was in the same place but in a box below a locking door.

I checked the weather forecast and decided not to wait until the end of the week, I booked an appointment to go down and see the car immediately.

More to share anon

Pete.

January 27

Looks lovely. Well bought sir.

8,732 · January 27

A thing of beauty. Congratulations.

9,412 · January 27

Thanks chaps ...

5. Pre-purchase inspection ..

I phoned a friend, who has an E-type, but he didn't answer the phone (..probably away with his girlfriend) so given short notice I went down to Kent on my own. The weather turned out brighter than I dared hope which was useful for inspecting underneath this car.

Yes, as matter of course I take my own car-jack (which I know I can trust) chocks of wood and ramps ..and of course a good torch as well as my camera. In the end I took 237 photos, mostly underneath. The point is that when I go away to think about things it's really useful to have photo as an aide memoir. The seller / classic car dealer Justin Banks was fine with it.. he just left me to it as he was busy selling a Range Rover which he tells me was registered before official release of that particular model. It didn't sell for very much at all.

Anyway I digress .. Carmen, as I'd already named her, was straight underneath. the XK chassis is built like that of a truck. I think the main chassis rails are 8" deep, but there are of courses places to watch. Mostly these are where water can settle into a low place, around the arches where it's splashed, and most importantly with any Jaguar where suspension and anti-roll bars are attached. There's also the potential on any car, but particularly a fast car, for accident damage. After the bill I had from replacing Katie's chassis I couldn't afford to make the same mistake with this marque of car.

^ The main chassis rails were as solid as expected (hoped) and as importantly there was no sign of things having recently been painted over with underseal, or matt black paint. There are oil leaks from engine, gearbox, differential, and the outboard ends of the rear axle. The front suspension is torsion bar to the lower wishbone and telescopic damper, so each end of those chassis mountings need to be checked.

^ front suspension looks to have been rebuilt not so many miles ago, but most of the fastenings are showing dry assembly. Similarly the new brake discs could have done with having been plated. Apparently the suspension has been reassembled with poly-bushes. A number of the rubber gaiters need to be replaced. Another red XK150 FHC advert on Car & Classic I noted its anti-roll bar mount was cracked. These appear to be good.

The rear suspension is by live axle and cart leaf springs, and again telescopic dampers. These rear springs need to be dropped off, cleaned of rust and protected. The stainless steel exhaust is by Falcon, and I'm not impressed. The painted-silver wire wheels looked good. They're only 10 years old and with 72 spokes ..whereas the originals were 60 spoke. Brake disks have been replaced for new. The fuel tank looks in really good shape too.

^ front mounts of the rear springs and each of the body mounts appear solid but every one needs to be cleaned off and properly protected. Rear mounts of those springs are better condition but again the rear outriggers (which are high up over the rear the rear axle could do with a little preventative treatment. I see no sign of wax oil injection. As you can see, up under the arches is good. This applies to each corner of the car. Nuts and bolts, like many on the front suspension also need to be cleaned off and treated to prevent further rust. there's no sign of coppa-slip anywhere so I guess I'll be spending many an hour under here ..dismantling component at a time cleaning, rust treating and Coppaslip reassemble.

^ The chassis and many details such as the crudely made spare wheel well are the same 1940's technology as found under the XK120, which I believe carried over many aspect of pre-war saloon cars. ^^ 2nd photo ; The battery tray is under the front wing, behind the front wheel. they are often rusted away. This one appears solid.

^ Oil leaks speak for themselves. There's plenty to share if anyone wants a leak ! ?

^ Under the rear arches is very good. The front wheel arches are similarly solid but not painted body colour up under. This may be because the rear wings are bolt-on and so when restored - the body tub would probably have been painted without the rear ones on. This photo also shows that the door shuts are not as good as first impressions from 15ft away might have suggested. ^^ under the door sill there really isn't very much structure aside from the main chassis rails. the bottom of the door is 4" deep and closes against a weather sill.

The sill being that far inboard makes getting in and out of the car easier ..and more dignified for a 1960's lady in a short skirt ! ..as there's no sill for her to lift her heels up and over. NB. No gender issues suggested, subversively intended or implied. ^ Inside the spare wheel well all appears good, apart from no jack or wire wheel tools. The spare wheel's tyre was a 205/70-16 DOT dated 2021 ..which is the same as three of the tyres on the road wheels. This tyre was deflated (I assume punctured) and the rear right road wheel was odd. That is a 185/80-16" of a different brand. It was an old and odd tyre but of a very similar rolling radius.

^ the SU fuel pump doesn't look to old. It's situated under the car so is cooled in the airstream, and no fumes inside the car. It does look as if the petrol pipe connection may be leaking a little though. Another little task for the list.. ^ front brakes have been upgraded with Coopercraft twin calipers.

With the wheels off the ground I noted play in the steering rack, or perhaps its mounting and looseness in the front nearside wheel bearings or wire wheel spline. I think this is the main reason Justin later agreed to £1000 off the asking price.

The engine when started sounded too fast a tickover, and quite rattly from it's valve gear. It was difficult to identify what was what because of the induction roar through the carburettor's open bell mouths. Justin had checked the fuel enrichment device (instead of a choke) was turned off. It's manual override switch had been positioned just below the ignition switch. I adjusted the air screws to slow it down but still it was fast. The twin carbs also appeared to be out of balance. using the plunger on the rear carburettor noticeably slowed the engine. Through engine's tappet noise and air intake I could hear hear and occasional clap / slap sound but nothing otherwise untoward. I've read that the valve guide seats on XK engines can work loose and rattle. At worst I feared this may be the case. There are after-market clamps that are used to hold them in place, And these can be fitted without taking the cylinder head off or anything very drastic. Still the engine noise was the most worrying thing I'd yet found with this car. I was keen but I hadn't driven in the car yet. Justine allowed me to take the car into his local village, and back. In that short a distance and at low speed there was nothing that put me off

When I sold Katie, I didn't cancel her insurance. So when I wanted more than a five minute drive in the car, I phoned through to Howell and transferred that insurance across to this car. I had previously discussed this in detail with their agent and the cost was just £20.20p extra, including admin charges, which gave me fully comp coverage, at the agreed value of this car, until the policy's expiry in September. I felt that was excellent service at an excellent price. BIG Thumbs Up for insurance through the TR Register.

Justin allowed me to go for a half hour drive, and so I headed off to find a petrol station. I don't trust fuel gauges on old cars until I know them. Pulling into the garage was awkward because a van was unloading. I had to stop, reverse turn the non-assisted steer at standstill to get around to the pump. It was a worthwhile experience.. I'm told a previous owner had fitted power steering but subsequently didn't like its feel at speed, so removed it again. This car has a full size (read ; very big) steering wheel instead. It's an after market wooden rimmed wheel which I think looks nice, but more importantly it feels robust. I could feel the play in the road wheel as I drove along, but I suspect only because I knew to feel for it.

The engine is very powerful but with 1" thick rubber mat in the driver's footwell - the clutch pedal was very low for my size twelves. I had to twist my ankle, left foot toes pointing in a rather over exaggerated pigeon toed towards my right foot, to operate the clutch. That was short travel and quite abrupt. I discovered this by wheel spinning out from the garage forecourt.! :wacko: ...

The test drive went well, but for the cigarette lighter being bigger than standard, so my TomTom wasn't being charged. It's pathetic battery was soon flat and I had no navigation. I was lost. I was on small country roads and couldn't find anything bigger despite heading towards East Grinstead, and the daylight was fading in amongst the trees. Fortunately i spotted the name of the village ...as I drove passed a turning, so then found a place to do a U-turn. Thankful for a pictorial memory I found my way back. The engine was still racing too fast but, that aside there was nothing serious to put me off buying the car.. After all, I wasn't buying a mid-range priced car, and certainly not a top $$ car.

Justin had watched me from a distance for the past three hours. He had just sold the Range Rover and I'm guessing he had hoped to sell it for more. He asked me direct " are you going to buy it ?" so I answered him equally as direct "Yes". I didn't need to think about it. I had done my homework, studied five other examples, test driven two of them, and although the ride on this car is firm , she goes like the wind and handles well. She's a driver's car. She's very attractive, and she's not rotten or bodged. Deal was done and we shook hands on it, and I gave my word that I'd transfer the money the following day. Deal done.

I've paid for better than gym membership - I'll get a whole crawling around and under the car, over the next twelve months. Classic cars are my hobby and a large part of my social life ..and I enjoy learning about and improving beautiful things. I think I'm going to enjoy spending my time with Carmen.

Pete

22,870 · January 27

Sounds a good-un Pete. Some fettling and care needed but a sound basis.

I'd check it over and then get out and about in it to see what it needs. I'm all for a shake-down and some fun before pulling a car apart.

A Heritage Certificate will show its UK history - some of these export cars also had an interesting US history ending up in Hollywood and other places. N. America Jaguar clubs may be able to help.

It's modded and not matching- numbers but who cares in an everyday driver. Much more usable with the XJ gearbox if that's what it has. It's possible to fit 'bucket' seats if that's your thing.

Set up properly they are blisteringly quick as you probably know having driven them before. Super fun. I loved mine.

Hard top is the best look IMHO and much more practical. Good for long- distances.

Looking forward to hearing of your exploits.

14,749 · January 27

6 hours ago, Bfg said:

14,749 · January 27

On 25/01/2026 at 20:58, Bfg said:

22,870 · January 27

14,749 · January 27

Cooor, that's nice.

22,980 · January 28

A lovely looking car. Seems to be in fine fettle as well, just tinkering required!

I didn't realise these were worth quite so much. Or, more accurately, they weren't far off XK120s in value.

I'd always assumed the XK120 would be top dog, due to design purity. However prices seem to suggest the extra usability and improvements of the later XKs is well valued, as £40-60k seems a common ground for any standard variety XK120/140/150.

7,898 · January 28

Has it got seat belts?If not,any plans?

January 28

Ooooooft!

That is magnificent

January 28

Lovely.

Well bought, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

9,412 · January 28

2 hours ago, Dobloseven said:

Has it got seat belts?If not,any plans?

There are 3-point harnesses in the car. . .

^ I've never used this type of seatbelt before and I cannot imagine getting into them would be easy, especially during colder months when I'm wearing a thick jacket. I'll try them but expect to replace them with something more conventional. Legally I don't think seatbelts are required on this age of vehicle, but.. if fitted they are to be used. I think we're all used to seat belts now and any passenger would feel uncomfortable without being strapped in.

Pete

January 28

What a gorgeous motor ! 67 years old and with a short 'snagging' list like that ... wow!

Looking forward to following this ...

9,412 · January 28

6. . .

On 28/01/2026 at 00:35, captain_70s said:

I didn't realise these were worth quite so much. Or, more accurately, they weren't far off XK120s in value.

I'd always assumed the XK120 would be top dog, due to design purity. However prices seem to suggest the extra usability and improvements of the later XKs is well valued, as £40-60k seems a common ground for any standard variety XK120/140/150.

The 'S' spec'd cars with straight port cylinder heads and triple carburettors are the premium models. They're the ones with the biggest bar-room 'boast value'.

The two-seater XK120 roadsters are up there too. They are the ones to be seen in ..which is great for those whose fame is an essential part of their celebrity marketing (keeping them in the public gaze ..and up there on the silver screen). The boast value is that "it's the same gold a Clark Gable's" ..But inside the 120 it is a very small car.

The footwell bulkhead and pedals were moved forward 4" for the Xk140, and although they used to be regarded as the ugly duckling because of their chunky radiator grille, their extra legroom widens their buyer appeal ..which in turn has helped support their values. And let's face it - most casual observers cannot distinguish between the 120 and a 140 anyway.

Similarly the XK150, which is still often regarded as having grown rotund and overweight, had noticeably more interior space (width as a well as length) and then the convenience of wind-up windows. Being usable attracts its own following. Furthermore, the 150 has more around the passenger compartment and big bumpers. Whereas passengers feel vulnerable in the low-doored earlier cars - the XK150 offers more protection. In the 1960's this was not such a big deal, because most other road vehicles were also diminutive (..aside from in America). The situation has of course now changed. Today all other cars tower over smaller sports cars, especially those with an open top. Values are directly related to appeal ..and 'safety conscious' is a factor nowadays.

Many buyers favour the Drophead coupe with its pram-style folding top. Aside from its convenience, these offered a token rear child's seat space, which although not practical for more than a dog or a shopping bag, does take the rear and side windows back further - which in turn helps make the interior feel less close and claustrophobic, when the roof is up.

The Fixed-Head Coupe, of each model, is a little bit of a question mark.. Why have a closed sports car, why not just buy a 2-door saloon ? The answer to this is that the FHC was conceived as a long-legged GT (grande tourismo) which many UK drivers don't really understand. Only when you're driving all day, &/or through the night, do you really appreciate not being buffeted around by the wind in an open car. My friend Andrew uses his Triumph GT6 (straight-six coupe) when participating in the Round Britain Reliability Run. It's more comfortable / less tiring (and therefore safer) than his open top TR4.

Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, & Mercedes 330SL are the big names in what we understand as GT cars. They're all high performance, stylish 2-door coupes ..and they're each top dollar cars ..the Xk150 isn't out of place in their company. Similarly in the US where Thunderbirds, Mustangs, and Corvette coupes are highly prized - the 150 with its advantageous power-to-weight ratio proved no embarrassment.

Note ; Jaguar deliberately marketed their 'roadster' (an Americanism perhaps ?) as an Open Top Saloon (OTS). They were not trying to compete with Austin Healey, Triumph, MG, or Sunbeam. Although of course later, they accepted the Daimler SP250 was in that market segment (between 1959 - 64).

It's often not realised that the standard XK120 XK engine produced just 160 bhp, whereas the standard (twin-carb 8:1 compression-ratio) 3.8 litre, used in the XK150's, produce 220 bhp. And the triple carb 3.8 ltr 'S' straight-port XK engine kicks (literally) out 265 bhp ..a hundred bhp more than the famed XK120.!

But isn't an XK150 twice the weight of the lithe Xk120 ?

Nope.. the 120 FHC weighs in at 27.5 cwt whereas the supposedly big, fat, Xk150 ..with its massive bumpers and leather armchairs, weights-in at 29 cwt ..so just a little over 5% increase in weight ..but 37.5% more power.! (112 lb = 1 cwt). The XK FHC coupes were the ones which were popular for both club and international rallying too.

Mostly kept quiet but the Xk120 and even the 140 were infamous for brake fade. Only through continued development with the C-type and D-type racers did the 4-disc (and finally decent) braking get to be on the 150. As a matter of record non of the XK's won at Le Mans. Their emblazoned success was with the C-Type and the D-type racers.

Still, all these factors, and the sometimes subtle associations, help balance the values of XK's across their model range.

Pete

Donald Campbell's 1958 XK150 3.4 FHC seen here with 'Bluebird'

p.s. the last XK150 left the factory in November 1960, and the E-type was first displayed to the press on 15th March 1961.

13,252 · January 28

@Bfg.. "Legally I don't think seatbelts are required on this age of vehicle, but.. if fitted they are to be used. I think we're all used to seat belts now and any passenger would feel uncomfortable without being strapped in"

My '63 IMP had no belts. I fitted midget type I.R. belts....

When a spinning Cortina taxi shortened it a foot!!! .... I didn't have a steering wheel *shaped smile 🫨

Fit em >> Wear em! YKIMS

That's a beaut 😉

🚙💨

9,412 · January 28

What your opinion on two point seatbelts ?

13,252 · January 28

6 minutes ago, Bfg said:

What your opinion on two point seatbelts ?

Me? They're 'lap belts' ..... Not my preference 🫤

🚙💨

the cat is out of the bag . . .

Recommended Posts

Bfg

2flags

trigger

High Jetter

Bfg

Dobloseven

lesapandre

Bfg

Bfg

Lord Sterling

DSdriver

Bfg

2flags

Bradders59

Bfg

lesapandre

stuboy

stuboy

lesapandre

Lord Sterling

captain_70s

Dobloseven

silvercar

smellypoo

Bfg

Westbay

Bfg

tooSavvy

Bfg

tooSavvy

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Similar Content