1958 Jaguar XK150S Roadster - 3.4/250 HP, 4-Speed. Estimate $115,000 - $145,000. Photo by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

Decades have passed since the Jaguar XK line of sports cars ceased production, yet they remain among the most instantly recognizable classics in the world, and were a leading influence on sports car designs of the 1950s and 1960s. Gorgeous, exclusive yet affordable, and race-bred, the XK120, XK140 and XK150 evolved with ever-increasing levels of quality, comfort and performance, the XK150 marking the most significant changes of the breed. Powered by Jaguar’s silky smooth 3.4L/213 HP inline-6 double-overhead cam engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, the XK150 employed independent A-arm/torsion bar front suspension coupled with a leaf-spring mounted live rear axle. Four-wheel disc brakes derived from the legendary C-Type racer proved a big advantage for stopping this 3,330 pound car, whose performance was initially a letdown from the XK140. But Jaguar soon remedied the situation with the XK150S, uprated with a trio of 2-inch S.U. HD8 carburetors fitted to a straight-port cylinder head returning a healthy 250 horsepower, imparting the XK150 with performance that lived up to the impeccable style. This attractive, matching-numbers XK150 is one of 888 produced to S specs in 1958, making it a very rare automobile. Expertly refinished per the accompanying Heritage Certificate in the original Carmine Red, it rides on 16-inch chromed wire wheels with Blackwall radial tires and features a fresh Biscuit interior with restored Black canvas top and boot, a heater adding extra comfort in cool weather. The clean and well-detailed engine is home to the correct, triple-carb, matching-numbers 3.4L XK engine, that received a complete rebuild in April 2014. It is backed up with the robust Moss 4-speed manual gearbox with the highly desirable addition of electric overdrive.

Mecum Monterey 2015