JAGUAR XK150 "S Roadster pictures and history
In 1957, almost 10 years after the launch of the oldest of the 120 family, and after the 140 with its rack and pinion steering, Jaguar XK150, which reveals the car is a line which is radically different from its predecessors. The profile of the car is softened and the windshield is now a single curved plane as the rear window of the coupe.
Mechanically the biggest difference with previous models is the introduction of disc brakes as standard. The disc brakes have made their appearance at Le Mans in 1954 on the Jaguar D-Type. The steering is a rack like the 140, the engine is still the 3.4 liter 190 horsepower and 220 hp base version SE with a cylinder head machined and painted blue. Launched first in FHC and DHC, the 150 saw the arrival of a roadster in 1958. Sign of the times, the 120 roadster, deliberately sport, which was launched one and first in 1948. More than an evolution, the 150 is a modern car that meets the requirements of the U.S. market, but it does not feel like his illustrious predecessor as it is now a touring car rather than a pure sports car. The Jaguars road are now very remote model racing as Jaguar C-Type and Jaguar D-Type.
Coupes and convertibles (FHC and DHC) lose their interior trim burr walnut to adopt a hedging instrument panel in leather. Early models DHC until June 1958 are equipped with a dashboard corked aluminum similar to the Type E 3.8 Liter.
A Jaguar XK150SE DHC Scoreboard Aluminum
With the 150, Jaguar S Launches Version 3.4 liter engine with cylinder head "straight port" painted gold color and equipped with three SU HD8 carburetors 250 hp. In 1958 an even more powerful is born with a 3.8 liter engine that gives 265 hp version of S. This same configuration, the 3.8-liter engine with three SU HD8 carburetors, will return in 1961 in type E
The XK150 remained in production until 1961, although very few copies were produced that year, before the presentation of the Type E in March at the Geneva show.
During the 13 years of production XK, it is 30 364 copies are left channels, respectively for the Jaguar XK120, 140 and 150: 12 045, 8 937 and 9 382 copies. The bulk of production was exported, the United States being the largest market.
Currently, the XK150 Roadster and Drop Head Coupes, including S models are the most sought after by collectors and most expensive of all the XK on the market of old cars with the exception of early models was XK 120 aluminum body. These are cars with a reliable engine, with behavior and braking modern, and are used on roads and in the heavy traffic. With radiator, good size and a large mechanical ventilator she did not suffer as the E-type cooling problems, they are more simple design with a solid rear axle and are therefore relatively inexpensive to maintain.
The legacy of the XK is more than the production figures. This range was established Jaguar as a producer of sports cars that mattered. The success on the European tracks and especially the U.S. confirmed that Jaguar legend was written in 5 wins Le Mans with Jaguar C-Type and Jaguar D-Type in 7 years.
|