Jaguar XK150

Infobox Automobile


name =Jaguar XK150
manufacturer =Jaguar Cars
production =1957–1961
class =Sports car
layout =FR layout
assembly =Coventry, England
body_style =2-door coupé
2-door convertible
2-door roadster
predecessor =Jaguar XK140
successor =Jaguar E-type
length =Auto mm|4496|1
wheelbase =Auto mm|2591|1
width =Auto mm|1580|1
weight =2968 lb (1350 kg)
engine =3442 cc I6
3781 cc I6The Jaguar XK150 was a sports car produced by Jaguar between 1957 and 1961. It replaced the previous XK140.

Initially it was available in Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) and Drop Head Coupé (DHC) versions. The Open Two Seater (OTS) Roadster model was not launched until 1958. Token rear seats were fitted in the coupés.

Although having a family resemblance to the XK120 and XK140, the XK150 was radically modernized. For the first time a one piece windscreen was used and the wing line no longer dropped as much over the doors. The bonnet was widened and opened down to the wings and on the OTS the bulkhead was moved back to make it about convert|4|in|mm|0 longer. The car was available at various times in Red, Pearl Grey, White, Indigo Blue, Claret, Cotswold Blue, Black, Mist Grey, Sherwood Green, Carmen Red, British racing Green, Cornish grey and Imperial Maroon.

Inside the car the walnut dashboard went, to be replaced by one trimmed in leather. On the early Drop Head Coupés, an aluminium centre dash panel with an X pattern engraving was fitted which looked similar to the early 3.8 E-type. It was discontinued after June 1958. The doors were thinner giving more interior space.

The standard engine, the same as fitted to the XK140, was the 3.4 litre DOHC Jaguar straight-6 rated at 180 SAE bhp at 5750 rpm but most cars were fitted with the SE engine that had a modified cylinder head with larger exhaust valves rated at 210 SAE bhp at 5500 rpm. Twin 1.75 inch SU HD6 carburettors were fitted.

Inevitably, the first XK150 were slower than their predecessors, but the deficit was corrected in the spring of 1958 with a 3.4-litre "S" engine with three 2 inch SU HD8 carburettors and a straight ported cylinder head giving a claimed 250 SAE bhp.

For 1960, Jaguar bored its 3.4 to 3.8 litres, rating this option at 220 hp in standard tune or 265 in "S" form. A 3.8 litre 150S could top 135 mph and sprint from 0-60 mph in around 7.0 seconds, thus restoring whatever verve the XK had been missing.

Four-wheel Dunlop Auto in|12|0 disc brakes appeared for the first time although it was theoretically possible to order a car with drums. Either wire wheels or disc wheels could be specified. Suspension and chassis were very similar to that on the XK140. Steering was by rack and pinion; power steering was not offered.

Production totaled 2265 Roadsters, 4445 Fixed Head Coupés and 2672 Drop Head Coupés.

A 250 bhp 3.4 litre XK150S Fixed-head coupé with limited slip differential was tested by the British magazine "The Motor" in 1959. It had a top speed of convert|132|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0–convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 7.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|22.0|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £2110 including taxes of £623. It was at the time the fastest closed car the magazine had ever subjected to a full road test.cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Jaguar XK150S Fixed-head Coupé| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = June 10, 1959]

Photographs

External links

* [http://www.xkdata.com XKData.com] volunteer maintained online registry with thousands of cars
* [http://www.jag-lovers.org/xk-lovers/ www.jag-lovers.org/xk-lovers/ ] International network of Jaguar XK model automotive owners and enthusiasts
* [http://www.xk150.blogspot.com/ David's XK restoration.] Watch the progress on a current restoration. (Start at the bottom and work up)

References

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