Jaguar XK 150 (1959)

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One of the rarest and most collectible specifications Absolutely pristine, show-quality condition Detailed photographs documents every stage of the restoration , starting from the complete removal of the body from the chassis Truly distinctive colour combination, a rare and striking pairing that remains exactly as originally specified Rare original manually selected overdrive, original to early XK 150 3.4 S models, offering faster, smoother, and more reliable shifting than the standard electric unit, originally developed for potential competition use Within the OTS group, the high‑performance “S” versions are significantly rarer. Roughly 888 examples produced in total In discussions among enthusiasts, it is estimated that around 107 LHD XK 150 3.4 S OTS were equipped with the manual overdrive, a very limited subset of all S OTS models Just a fraction of these cars have survived to the present day, and an even smaller number remain in the rare and highly desirable Dove Grey exterior colour In the aftermath of the Second World War, Britain was rebuilding, and so was its automotive industry. Amid this backdrop, Jaguar emerged not just as a car manufacturer, but as a creator of dreams. The 1950s were a time of bold ambition: Jaguar wanted to build cars that were beautiful, fast, and exhilarating to drive, cars that could capture the imagination of enthusiasts around the world. Racing was at the heart of this vision. The C-Type and later the D-Type roared around circuits like Le Mans, dominating their competition with innovative engineering and fearless performance. These victories were more than trophies, they were proof that Jaguar could blend precision engineering with the thrill of speed, a philosophy that would carry over into its road cars. For the public, the XK series was nothing short of magical. The XK120, when it appeared in 1948, stunned the world with its flowing lines and astonishing speed. The XK140 refined that elegance, offering more comfort and refinement, but it was the XK150, introduced in 1957, that truly embodied Jaguar’s vision. Sleeker, more powerful, and unmistakably modern, the XK150 offered performance and style in equal measure. Its curves, chrome, and carefully engineered mechanics made it a car that could thrill on a winding country road or turn heads in a city street. For anyone lucky enough to drive an XK 150 today, it is easy to see that same spirit still alive, a connection to an era when speed was poetry, and every Jaguar was a piece of living art. During the production life of the Jaguar XK 150 (1957‑1961), just 2,265 were Open Two Seater (OTS / roadster) models, the “pure” roadsters rather than coupés. Within that OTS group, the high‑performance “S” versions are significantly rarer. Roughly 888 examples produced in total. Even rarer still are the early S OTS models fitted with the manually selected overdrive. In discussions among enthusiasts, it is estimated that around 107 LHD XK 150 3.4 S OTS were equipped with the manual overdrive, a very limited subset of all S OTS models. Over the decades, many of these cars have been lost, scrapped, or heavily modified and just a fraction of these cars have survived to the present day, and an even smaller number remain in the rare and highly desirable Dove Grey exterior colour. So, under conservative assumptions, one might expect on the order of a few dozen 3.4 S OTS Jaguars worldwide that are in a rare original‑period colour like Dove Grey. ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE This elegant 1959 Jaguar XK 150 3.4 S Open Two Seater, was manufactured on 29 January 1959 and first registered on 28 February 1959. It represents one of the most desirable variants of the XK 150 series, equipped with the high-performance 3.4 S engine, making it a rare and sought-after specification. Since new, it has been equipped with the rare, manually selected overdrive, a far more desirable and reliable system than the standard electric unit.