Jaguar XK150 3.4 LITRE

About the Jaguar XK150 3.4 LITRE

The Jaguar XK150 is a sports car produced by Jaguar between 1957 and 1961. It replaced the XK140.

Initially it was available in Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) and Drophead Coupé (DHC) versions. The Roadster (XK150 OTS - Open Two-Seat) was launched in 1958. Minimal rear seats were fitted in the coupés.

Although bearing a strong family resemblance to the XK120 and XK140, the XK150 was radically revised. A one-piece windscreen replaced the split screen, and the wing line no longer dropped so deeply at the doors. The car was lower and the interior was 4 inches wider. At the rear the slightly humped back appearance of the XK120 and 140 was replaced by a smoother look. The widened bonnet opened down to the wings, and on the Roadster the windscreen frame was moved back 4 inches (102 mm) to make the bonnet longer. 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.

Suspension and chassis were very similar to the XK140, and steering was by rack and pinion; power steering was not offered. The standard engine, similar to the XK140, but with an new "B" type cylinder head, was the 3.4 litre DOHC Jaguar straight-6 rated at 180 SAE bhp at 5750 rpm but most cars were fitted with the SE engine whose modified cylinder head (B type) and larger exhaust valves boosted the power to 210 SAE bhp at 5500 rpm. Twin 1.75-inch (44 mm) SU HD6 carburettors were fitted..

In 1958 Harry Weslake developed an improved cylinder head with better breathing. Fitting this, along with higher compression pistons, triple carburettors and a lightened flywheel,, power output was lifted to 250 bhp.

Iron block and alloy head
Four speed manual
Suspension - front independent by wishbones, torsion bars, anti-roll bar. Rear : live axle, semi elliptic springs and telescopic dampers.
Steering : rack and pinion
Brakes - all round discs