Chassis Number: 838065 DN

Engine Number: VS 1839-9

Registration Number: 316 XVK

Specification: Four-speed manual with overdrive

Introduced in 1957, the Jaguar XK 150 represented the final evolution of the marque’s celebrated XK series, building upon the success of the XK 120 and XK 140 with a more refined design, improved comfort and enhanced performance. Retaining the renowned 3.4-litre dual-overhead camshaft straight-six engine, the XK 150 featured a curved, single-piece windscreen, a more spacious cabin and four-wheel disc brakes as standard, establishing it as a capable and sophisticated sports car for both spirited driving and longer journeys.

The range was offered in three body styles: Fixed Head Coupé, Open Two-Seater and Drophead Coupé. The latter combined the open-air appeal of the roadster with the greater comfort and refinement of a more enclosed cabin. At the top of the range, the ‘S’ specification benefited from triple SU HD6 carburettors, producing a stated 250 bhp from the 3.4-litre engine.

The example presented here, chassis number 838065 DN, is a particularly rare left-hand-drive XK 150 S 3.4 Drophead Coupé, one of just 104 examples of this specification produced, of which only 68 were built in left-hand drive. Retaining its original engine and gearbox, it has also benefited from a comprehensive restoration by recognised Jaguar specialists, accompanied by a carefully considered programme of upgrades to enhance its usability without compromising its essential character.

Built on 19 January 1959, chassis 838065 DN was delivered new to its first owner in California. The car subsequently joined an impressive private collection in Holland, where it remained for several years before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by Zwakman Motors, one of Europe’s leading Jaguar specialists. The restoration is understood to have cost in excess of €300,000, reflecting the considerable investment made in returning the car to its present condition.

The final stages of the restoration were entrusted to Guy Broad of Coventry, one of the foremost specialists in the Jaguar marque. Extensive accompanying documentation records £25,298 of work undertaken by Guy Broad, providing a detailed account of this final phase of the restoration.

Completed in 2019, the restoration incorporated a comprehensive programme of mechanical, handling and comfort improvements, alongside the preservation of the car’s numbers-matching originality. Finished in Jaguar Dark Blue with a Red leather interior and Black hood, the XK 150 presents an elegant yet sporting appearance, complemented by a louvred bonnet, distinctive bucket seats and classic wire wheels.

Since the completion of the restoration, the car has been carefully stored. In September 2026, it received a full service from Classic Collective in Bicester before undertaking the Journées d’Automne rally in the Champagne region of France. Completing the 867-mile journey faultlessly, it demonstrated the effectiveness of its restoration and upgrades, as well as its suitability for extended touring.

During the comprehensive restoration, a range of sympathetic upgrades were incorporated to improve reliability, comfort and driving dynamics. These enhancements make the car particularly well suited to modern road use and long-distance touring while retaining the character and appeal of the original XK 150 S.

The mechanical and driving improvements include a Vicarage power steering system, Spax shock absorbers, a stainless-steel exhaust, an electric cooling fan, electronic ignition, a high-power starter motor, a lightened flywheel, a diaphragm clutch kit, an aluminium radiator and a Facet fuel pump. A battery master switch is also fitted.

The exterior and running gear feature a louvred bonnet, Borrani RW2623 wire wheels and Blockley radial tyres, combining period-appropriate styling with modern usability. Inside, the cockpit has been enhanced with supportive bucket seats and a wood-rim steering wheel, while the car retains its original steering wheel, which accompanies the vehicle.

Together, these improvements provide a considered balance between traditional Jaguar character and the practical benefits of modern engineering, making the car more approachable to drive and better equipped for contemporary touring.

The history file includes extensive restoration photographs, documentation of the work undertaken by Guy Broad, the JDHT certificate and the Owner’s Handbook. The car is also offered with a full tool kit, its original steering wheel and a new MOT certificate. It was tax paid into the European Union in France in 1994.

Combining exceptional rarity, documented restoration, matching-number originality and enhanced driving practicality, this XK 150 S represents an especially well-rounded example of one of Jaguar’s most celebrated sporting models.

The car is available for viewing and demonstration at Pendine’s Bicester Motion showroom.