XK150S OUT OF 43-YEAR LAY-UP
Jaguar stashed away in the mid’70s set to star at Autojumble sale
AJaguar XK150S that has been in storage since 1975 is to go under the hammer next month. Bonhams is selling the 1959 3.4-litre coupé at its Beaulieu Autojumble sale this Saturday (1 September) with a £70-90k estimate.
Jaguar main agent, P J Evans of Birmingham, originally sold the Costwold Blue model, registered YOP 911, to a Mr J Kitchen of Sutton Coldfield. It later passed through a string of owners before being taken off the road in 1975 – it still wears a tax disc from that year.
Bonhams said that the UK-market XK150S – believed to be one of only 88 made with right-hand-drive – is fitted with overdrive and a higher rear axle ratio.
An auction spokesman said: ‘It has remained in storage since 1975 but nevertheless has been started periodically and runs and drives well (tested at low speeds on private land) with good oil pressure and the gears and clutch operating well.
‘This matching numbers car has never been fully restored, nor indeed ever had a colour change; after 43 years of slumber it now requires full restoration and offers an exciting
opportunity to renovate an entirely original example of a very rare model.’
Classic Car Weekly’s markets editor, Richard Barnett, said: The XK150’s ‘S’ derivative is perhaps the most highly prized of all the Jaguar XKs, but finding one like this that’s fresh from having spent more than four decades’ storage is nigh-on remarkable.
‘Being both matching numbers and never restored just adds to its appeal and without doubt it’s one for the Jaguar cognescenti to battle over come auction day.’ ❚ bonhams.com