Estimate: $110,000-$140,000 US

Sold: $113,300

250bhp, 3,442 cc dual overhead cam inline six-cylinder engine with three SU carburetors, four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 102"

First introduced in the fall of 1957, the XK 150 was intended to compete against the BMW 507 and Mercedes 300SL. As the third and final evolution of its series, it represented the best and most highly developed XK ever built. Although similar in its overall design to its predecessors, styling revisions included the replacement of the traditional cut-down doors with a higher, more subtle beltline. The front aspect was changed by widening the grille, the two-piece windshield was modified to a more contemporary curved, one-piece version, and the Open Two Seaters now benefitted from roll-up windows.

The performance of the XK range was continually increasing, from the basic 120 and the Special Equipment version, then to the XK 140MC with the “C-Type” cylinder head and on to the 150 with its straight port ‘S’ head. Such performance increases highlighted the need for a technical breakthrough in braking systems. Jaguar’s successes at Le Mans were attributed to the introduction of disc brakes on their racing D-Types, and the old adage “racing improves the breed” was never more appropriate than with the XK 150, the very first production car to feature power-assisted disc brakes at all four corners.

In the spring of 1958, the high performance ‘S’ model was introduced. The new XK 150S featured a gold-colored, Harry Weslake-modified straight-port cylinder head that helped boost performance of the 3.4-liter engine from 190 to 250 horsepower. The ‘S’ model also enjoyed improved fuel flow by way of three large SU carburetors and had a usefully higher compression head (9.0:1 versus 8.0:1) with more aggressive cam timing. Every ‘S’ model came standard with a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

All told, 1,466 examples of the XK 150S were produced until 1961, of which less than 1,000 were Open Two Seaters. In fact, the Jaguar on offer is one of just 361 left-hand drive XK 150S cars assembled and, according to the vendor, was previously owned by a former owner of the New York Daily News. It was eventually acquired by Mr. Nicolas Juncadella of New York and Florida; a Ferrari, Porsche and Jaguar collector who noticed the car during the purchase of a farm he acquired in Stanfordville, New York – and then insisted that it become part of the overall transaction.

The car was recently serviced by Donovan Jaguar of Lenox, Massachusetts and subsequently acquired by the vendor. It benefits from an older but very correct restoration, and has accumulated less than 1,000 miles since, remaining in exceptional condition throughout. A straight, no-nonsense example, the car is finished in red with a black cloth top, interior and carpeting and is equipped with the aforementioned four-speed gearbox and chrome wire wheels. What’s more, it is complete with its original spare, tools and factory jack. Well serviced, its condition and drivability reportedly speak for themselves.

While the original XK 120 was a tremendously capable sports car, for many enthusiasts the XK 150 represents the ultimate and most refined iteration of the series. Of course, the XK 150S remains unquestionably a most desirable specification and with a 250-horsepower twin-cam six-cylinder engine it offers the enthusiast the performance to complement the timeless design so emblematic of Jaguar’s XK roadsters.