That Cotswold Blue color certainly is all part of this, simultaneously so soothing and sultry. Even more soothing and sultry as it has automatic transmission – very rarely for these models.

But then it is in the great XK tradition…

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The Jaguar XK150 was a sports car produced by Jaguar between 1957 and October 1960 – so you can see that the car we have is one of the very last of the models that was made. Along with the XKE, which succeeded it, the Jaguar XK range is unquestionably the most important model ever built by Jaguar: the absolute essence of post-war British sports-cars, always with an indefinable poetic subtext underpinning them – even when brand new it seemed to ooze built-in nostalgia.

The XK120 had been launched in its roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show, a testbed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine that had been designed by Jaguar Chief Engineer William Heynes – the architect of its fabulous sultry look. The display car was the first prototype, chassis number 660001.

It looked almost identical to the production cars except that on the production version the straight outer pillars of its windscreen were curved. In fact, initially the car was intended for limited production only to try out Jaguar’s new twin overhead camshaft engine, designated during design and development by the initials ‘XK’. But the sports-car caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and Chairman William Lyons to put it into production.

In 1954 came the upgrade to the XK120, the XK140: more interior space, improved brakes, rack and pinion steering, increased suspension travel, and telescopic shock absorbers instead of the older lever arm design. And so it was until 1957 and the arrival of the XK150. Essentially the same format, the XK150’s big change was in the exterior and interior styling.

So that is what we have here, a beautiful older restoration that is one of only 209 automatic Drophead Coupes equipped with a 3.8-liter engine.

This 1961 Jaguar XK150 3.8 Liter Drophead Coupe Special Equipment is featured with matching numbers and finished in Cotswold Blue, gracefully complemented by its red interior. Equipped with a rare automatic transmission, straight-six engine, SU dual carburetors, Smiths instruments, Lucas branded ammeter, dual-exhaust outlets, four-wheel disc brakes, black convertible soft top, fender-mounted antenna, four-spoke steering wheel, chrome trim, chrome bumpers, BFGoodrich tires, wire wheels, Jaguar-branded two-eared knock-off wheel spinners, jack, and a full-size spare tire that is fitted in the trunk.

Amenities include fender-mounted side mirrors, dash-mounted rearview mirror, passenger dash grab handle, forward-folding front seats, padded armrest, manual-crank windows, vent windows, dual wipers, door pockets, glove compartment, and a cigar lighter with an ashtray. And, as I said, one of only 209 automatic Drophead Coupes equipped with a 3.8-liter engine. Do not miss your opportunity to acquire such a remarkable Special Equipment XK150 that is a perfect addition to any collection and is mechanically sound.

It was tuned to produce up to 265 hp (198 kW; 269 PS) in S models and propel an XK150 to an extremely impressive 135 mph (217 km/h) and from 0–60 mph in around 7.0 seconds – a second faster than the original 3.4 liter engine. Fuel economy was around 18mpg. Four-wheel Dunlop 12 in (305 mm) disc brakes appeared for the first time as a prestigious option.

As would be expected, there was always a Jaguar leaping mascot on the hood of the XK150.

But then in late 1960 the arrival the next year of the Jaguar XKE was announced…

-Alex Manos, Owner