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Jaguar XK150

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Jaguar XK150
1959 Jaguar XK150 drophead coupé
Overview
ManufacturerJaguar Cars
Production1957–1961
AssemblyCoventry, England
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2–3 seater coupé
2–3 seater convertible or drophead coupé
2 seater roadster or open two-seater
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine3442 cc (210CID[1]) I6
3781 cc I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,591 mm (102.0 in)
Length4,496 mm (177.0 in)[2]
Width1,580 mm (62.2 in)
Kerb weight2,968 lb (1,346 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorJaguar XK140
SuccessorJaguar E-Type

The Jaguar XK150 is a sports car produced by Jaguar between 1957 and 1961 as the successor to the XK140.

Initially it was only available in fixed head coupé (FHC) and drophead coupé (DHC) versions. The roadster without full weather equipment which had begun the XK line was launched as the XK150 OTS (open two-seater) in 1958. Minimal rear seats were fitted in the coupés. The open two-seater was fitted for the first time with wind-up windows in taller high-silled doors, but retained the very simple folding roof of its predecessors.

History

Announced in its home market in May 1957[3] the XK150 bore a family resemblance to the XK120 and XK140 but was radically revised. Most visibly, a one-piece windscreen replaced the split screen, and the wing line carried higher and more streamlined at the doors. The widened bonnet opened down to the wings, and on the coupés the windscreen frame was moved forward 4 inches (102 mm) to make passenger access easier. The car was available at various times in Red, Pearl Grey, White, Indigo Blue, Claret, Cotswold Blue, Black, Mist Grey, Sherwood Green, Carmen Red, British Racing Green, Cornish Grey, and Imperial Maroon.

The XK150's dashboard came trimmed in leather, with walnut optional on all models. On the early drophead coupés, the aluminium centre dash panel, which was discontinued after June 1958, had an X pattern engraving similar to the early 3.8 E-Type. Thinner doors gave more interior space. A little red light reminded the driver that the front parking lights, located atop the wings (fenders), were on.[4]

Suspension and chassis were very similar to the XK140, with manual-only rack and pinion steering. The 3.4 litre DOHC straight-6 XK engine was similar to the XK140's, but a new "B" type cylinder head raised power to 180 SAE bhp at 5750 rpm.

XK150 S 3.4L XK engine with orange paint used on S models with "straight port" cylinder heads fitted with three carburettors

The first closed and convertible XK150s were slower than their predecessors. After a twelve-month delay caused by the February 1957 factory fire, this deficit was corrected in the spring of 1958 with the March release of special equipment models fitted with disc brakes and more powerful SE engine. Twin 1.75-inch (44 mm) SU HD6 carburettors and a modified B type cylinder head with larger exhaust valves improved performance to 210 SAE bhp at 5500 rpm. While most export cars were SE models, a third option for the open two-seater featured an "S" engine with three 2-inch (51 mm) SU HD8 carburettors and a straight-port cylinder head boosting power to a claimed 250 SAE bhp.[5]

In 1960 the 220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS) 3.8 litre engine fitted in the full-sized luxury Mark IX saloon since October 1958 became available.[6] It was tuned to produce up to 265 hp (198 kW; 269 PS) in S models and propel an XK150 to 135 mph (217 km/h) and from 0–60 mph in around 7.0 seconds. Fuel economy was 18mpg.[4] Four-wheel Dunlop 12 in (305 mm) disc brakes appeared for the first time as an option. Factory specification 6.00 × 16 inch Dunlop Road Speed tyres or optional 185VR16 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 radials could be fitted on either 16 × 5K½ solid wheels or optional 16 × 5K wire wheels.[7]

Production ended in October 1960,[8] and totalled 2,265 roadsters, 4,445 fixed head coupés and 2,672 drophead coupés. The E-Type replacement was announced in the middle of March 1961.[9]

Engine specifications

XK 150 ENGINES [10][11]
Model Years Displacement Configuration Bore/Stroke Carburettor Power
XK 150 3.4 1957–1960
3442cc
 DOHC Straight-6
83 mm x 106 mm
 Double SU HD6 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.4 SE 1957–1960
3442cc
 DOHC Straight-6
83 mm x 106 mm
 Double SU HD6 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.4 S 1958–1960
3442 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
83 mm x 106 mm
 Triple SU HD8 250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.8 SE 1959–1960
3781 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
87 mm x 106 mm
 Double SU HD6 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS) @ 5500 rpm
XK 150 3.8 S 1959–1960
3781 cc
 DOHC Straight-6
87 mm x 106 mm
 Triple SU HD8 265 bhp (198 kW; 269 PS) @ 5500 rpm

Performance

A 250 bhp 3.4 litre XK150S fixed-head coupé with limited slip differential was tested by The Motor in 1959. It had a top speed of 132 mph (212 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.8 seconds. Fuel consumption of 22.0 miles per imperial gallon (12.8 L/100 km; 18.3 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £2110 including taxes of £623. It was at the time the fastest closed car the magazine had ever subjected to a full road test.[12]

The bhp figures quoted are SAE gross and not SAE net horsepower ratings. In comparison, the 3.4L 1954 Jaguar 'D'-type with racing camshafts, larger 1.875in. inlet valves, and 3 dual-choke Weber carburettors was rated at 246bhp.[13]

  • 1961 fixed head coupé
    1961 fixed head coupé
  • 1961 fixed head coupé
    1961 fixed head coupé
  • 1961 fixed head coupé dash
    1961 fixed head coupé dash
  • 1961 drophead coupé
    1961 drophead coupé
  • 1961 drophead coupé
    1961 drophead coupé
  • 1959 drophead coupé
    1959 drophead coupé
  • 1958 roadster (open two-seater)
    1958 roadster (open two-seater)
  • 1958 roadster (open two-seater)
    1958 roadster (open two-seater)
  • 1958 roadster (open two-seater)
    1958 roadster (open two-seater)
  • XK150 S triple SU H8 carburettors
    XK150 S triple SU H8 carburettors

References

  1. ^ "Bowling's Engine Displacement Unit Conversion". Bgsoflex.com. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Image: Specification". storm.oldcarmanualproject.com. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  3. ^ Jaguar. The Times, Wednesday, May 22, 1957; pg. 7; Issue 53847
  4. ^ a b Willson, Quentin (1995). The Ultimate Classic Car Book. DK Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-7894-0159-2.
  5. ^ 140 M.P.H. Jaguar Model. The Times, Friday, Mar 21, 1958; pg. 13; Issue 54105
  6. ^ Jaguar. The Times, Wednesday, Oct 08, 1958; pg. 4; Issue 54276
  7. ^ Paul Skilleter, Jaguar Sports Cars, pp.312 ISBN 0-85429-166-0.
  8. ^ Jaguar XK150 – A Brief History – Retrieved on 5 November 2008
  9. ^ New Jaguar Car Has Top Speed Of 150 M.P.H. The Times, Wednesday, Mar 15, 1961; pg. 7; Issue 55030
  10. ^ Jaguar XK150 Specifications – Retrieved on 4 November 2008
  11. ^ The Jaguar Database – Retrieved on 4 November 2008
  12. ^ "The Jaguar XK150S Fixed-head Coupé". The Motor. 10 June 1959.
  13. ^ Autocar magazine 10 August 1967, Table 1 XK Engine comparisons
  • XKData.com volunteer maintained online registry with thousands of cars
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