Stored Since ’98: 1959 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe
This 1959 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe proves we should never judge a book by its cover. This desirable British classic is a restoration project that stalled decades ago. However, it is rock-solid, and the seller believes it only lacks a few parts. Returning it to its former glory will be a significant undertaking, requiring deep commitment from its new owner. It could prove worthwhile because spotless examples command eye-watering prices in the classic market. The seller has listed the Jaguar here on Craigslist in Torrington, Connecticut. They have set their price at $26,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this promising project.
Jaguar introduced the XK150 in 1957 as the successor to its XK140 model. It offered the car in three body styles, selling 7,929 vehicles before production ended in 1961. The Drophead Coupe wasn’t the rarest, but with only 2,489 built, they aren’t exactly thick on the ground. The seller indicates this Drophead has been stored in a trailer since 1998, when its restoration stalled. It cuts a sad figure in its current form, and we must look closely to appreciate what it offers. The build reached the stage where the frame was blasted and coated with POR 15. It is rock-sloid, with no structural weaknesses or problems. The bodyshell sits on blocks above the frame and has accumulated significant surface corrosion. However, there is no penetrating rust that requires cutting or welding. Sending the body for media blasting would be a wise strategy to maximize the chances it will remain rust-free indefinitely. Many of the hanging panels aren’t currently attached, but they are all there. It appears that the glass and most trim items are present, and the car comes with the five original wire wheels.
Jaguar carried its beautiful 3.4-liter DOHC six from the XK140 to the new model, although cylinder head upgrades unlocked additional power. The six should produce 190hp and 203 ft/lbs of torque, which was fed to the road via a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The ¼-mile ET of 16.7 seconds was considered respectable, as was the car’s ability to nudge 120mph. The seller’s images suggest that the engine is present but has been entirely dismantled. It will probably require attention from a machine shop before being bolted back together, but these motors hold few surprises. It also appears most of the interior hardware is there, although a complete retrim is on the agenda. Kits are available to recapture the car’s “factory” appearance but aren’t cheap. This part of the build will consume around $5,000, but the potential value makes it worth the cost.
The seller’s price for this 1959 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe isn’t cheap, and it is only the first of many expenses awaiting this car’s new owner. Every aspect of this classic requires attention, and some tasks will be beyond the ability of mere mortals. That raises the question of whether it is justified. If the buyer doesn’t cut corners and the work is completed to a high standard, a value above $100,000 is possible. Considering the scope of the work, its financial viability could be touch-and-go. However, the relative rarity of these cars and the recent history of climbing values suggest it should be okay. Do you agree?
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Comments
Unless the buyer is a do it yourselfer it’s going to take 100K to put humpty jag back together again. Then again, if someone has the 26K to pay the asking price having money for reincarnation might not be a problem.
This is a job for Jay Leno if he needs one for his collection.
There are probably 26K in parts if a guy wanted to sell them off over 20 years, but even a DIY restoration will be 50K assuming everything is there. It adds up when things like original marker lights are 200.00 each or re-chroming everything cost 10k not to mention upholstery and paint etc.etc.
“The seller believes all the parts are there”??? At $10k the seller is makin’ all the money! $100k plus for proper restoration anywhere by legit restorer. Are “all the parts” restoration? Ridiculous ask IMHO?
Stance is just a little bit off.
Showing the car from different angles does nothing to improve it’s prospects
‘Parts is parts!’ As the old saying goes. Also there is an ‘ass for every seat’! Looks like a restoration not for the faint of heart… A desirable model and an end product with some real value…getting there is the issue. It looks like a checkbook restoration for someone with spare cash ( lots of it ) and a real desire to have one of these…Everything needs to be done… not a car for me, I would probably lose interest having to do everything!! Interesting find!!
Drop the body on a Blazer chassis,,,what?
With the requisite LS power
Project for a high school auto class…in Beverly Hills CA
As George Michael said so beautifully, you gotta have faith.
In this case, a lot of faith that everything is there in that pile of parts. This is not for the faint of heart, nor the bank account deficient.
But I do hope she sees the open road again under her own power. Someday.
These are great cars but this one better be approached with even greater caution. The seller calls it “probably 75% there in pieces”. Besides any other missing pieces, every fastener is British Standard Whitworth. Maybe these are easy to find now (somehow I doubt it) but when I was in High School and helping my friend work on his MGAs it was a constant problem. Somtimes between our parents american tools and our metric tools we still didn’t have a wrench that would work. We often had to resort to crescent wrenches or (shudder) vise grips. The electrical problems were an on going stuggle, especially for suth a relatively simple car. But we learned a lot, had a great time and especially liked driving it when it was roadworthy. Or close even.
I hope the next owner can get it back on the road. Good luck. It appears to be solid and to me, the less rust the more attractive it gets.
This should be a BSF car, British Standard Fine, with AF spanners from what I know,
British Standard fine is a thread pitch that is part of the British Standard Whitworth system.
I thinks it’s like how we have course and fine thread.
Every nut, bolt, stud and fastener on this car is either SAE UNF thread form or UNC.
BSW and BSF are separate thread systems and long dead in automotive circles. I have old Jaguars.. Even if it was full of the dreaded Whitworth, wouldn’t one just buy a set of Whitworth tools to work on your 100k project? The tools are still available.
The first Jag Gasser I have seen.
The parts cost and the power train rebuild, will kill you. From experience I can virtually guaranty that critical partscare missing and very challenging to source. If t were a XK150S, the performance version, I would say it might be worth it. For this one, I’d recommend gifting it to a restoration school.
To make it right,it would cost 30-40k more than you could buy a decent driver for. Unless you have bottomless pockets and don’t care, it’s not worth the trouble.
Steve RM it is coarse not course. could not leave a reply to your comment.