Jaguar XK150

Jaguar XK150

1958 Jaguar XK150 Roadster
Manufacturer Jaguar Cars
Production 1957–1961
Assembly Coventry, England
Predecessor Jaguar XK140
Successor Jaguar E-type
Class Sports car
Body style 2–3 seater coupé
2–3 seater convertible
2 seater roadster
Layout FR layout
Engine 3442 cc(210CID[1]) I6
3781 cc I6
Wheelbase 2,591 mm (102.0 in)
Length 4,496 mm (177.0 in)[2]
Width 1,580 mm (62.2 in)
Kerb weight 2,968 lb (1,346 kg)

The Jaguar XK150 is a sports car produced by Jaguar between 1957 and 1961. It replaced the XK140.

Initially it was available in Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) and Drophead Coupé (DHC) versions. The Roadster (XK150 OTS - Open Two-Seat) was launched in 1958. Minimal rear seats were fitted in the coupés.

Contents

History

Although bearing a family resemblance to the XK120 and XK140, the XK150 was radically revised. A one-piece windscreen replaced the split screen, and the wing line no longer dropped so deeply at the doors. The widened bonnet opened down to the wings, and on the Roadster the bulkhead was moved back 4 inches (102 mm) to make the bonnet 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.

The XK140's walnut dashboard was replaced by one trimmed in leather. On the early Drophead Coupés, the aluminium centre dash panel, which was discontinued after June 1958, had an X pattern engraving similar to the early 3.8 E-type. Thinner doors gave more interior space. On the front parking lights, which were located atop the wings (fenders), a little red light reminded the driver the lights were on.[3]

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 whose modified cylinder head and larger exhaust valves boosted the power to 210 SAE bhp at 5500 rpm. Twin 1.75-inch (44 mm) SU HD6 carburettors were fitted.

While the first XK150 were slower than their predecessors, the deficit was corrected in the spring of 1958 with a 3.4-litre "S" engine with three 2-inch (51 mm) SU HD8 carburettors and a straight-ported cylinder to give a claimed 250 SAE bhp.

For 1960, Jaguar bored the 3.4 litre engine to 3.8 litres, rating this option at 220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS) in standard tune or 265 hp (198 kW; 269 PS) in "S" form. A 3.8 litre 150S could top 135 mph (217 km/h) and go from 0–60 mph in around 7.0 seconds, thus restoring whatever verve the XK had been missing. Fuel economy was 18mpg.[3]

Four-wheel Dunlop 12 in (305 mm) 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 the XK140. Steering was by rack and pinion; power steering was not offered.

Production ended in October 1960,[4] and totaled 2265 Roadsters, 4445 Fixed Head Coupés and 2672 Drophead Coupés.

Engine specifications

XK 150 ENGINES [5][6]
Model Years Displacement Configuration Bore/Stroke Carburettor Power
XK 150 3.4 1957–1959
3442cc
 DOHC Straight-6
83mm x 106mm
 Double SU H6 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.4 S 1957–1959
3442 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
83 mm x 106 mm
 Triple SU H8  250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.8 1959–1960
3781 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
87 mm x 106 mm
 Double SU H6 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.8 S 1959–1960
3781 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
87 mm x 106 mm
 Triple SU H8  265 bhp (198 kW; 269 PS) @ 5500 rpm

Performance

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 132 mph (212 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.8 seconds. Fuel consumption of 22.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km; 18.3 mpg-US) 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.[7]

Photographs

References

  1. ^ "Bowling's Engine Displacement Unit Conversion". Bgsoflex.com. http://www.bgsoflex.com/cgi-bin/dispunits.cgi?disp=3442&mode=CC). Retrieved 2011-11-08. 
  2. ^ http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/jaguar/58%20Jaguar%20v%20150%20P04.jpg
  3. ^ a b Willson, Quentin (1995). The Ultimate Classic Car Book. DK Publishing, Inc.. ISBN 0-7894-0159-2. 
  4. ^ Jaguar XK150 – A Brief History – Retrieved on 05 November 2008
  5. ^ Jaguar XK150 Specifications – Retrieved on 04 November 2008
  6. ^ The Jaguar Database – Retrieved on 04 November 2008
  7. ^ "The Jaguar XK150S Fixed-head Coupé". The Motor. June 10, 1959. 

External links

Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sports XK120 XK140 XK150 E-type S1 E S2 E-type S3 XJ-S
Saloon Mark 1 Mark 2, 240, 340
S-Type XJ-C
420 XJ6 S1 XJ6 S2
Mk IV Mk V Mk VII Mk VIII Mk IX Mk X 420G XJ12 S1 XJ12 S2
Supercar XKSS
Racing C-Type D-Type E-Type XJ13 XJ-C XJ41 / XJ42
Ownership Independent BMH British Leyland