Description
We are delighted to offer this very special car onto the market. This is one of those super rare opportunities to purchase something quite special. XLC 496 has the perfect combination of history, provenance, usability, and quality in terms of condition and restoration. There are just so many selling points its difficult where to start. Not only is this a genuine XK150 S, it retains matching numbers, it is a Home Market UK car, it has had just two owners over the last 50 years and its recent Malton based owner purchased the XK back in 1988 and completed the most magnificent restoration. Since then, car has been exceptionally well maintained and testament to that is the fact it has proven to be a first class, reliable European touring car covering in the region of 42, 000 miles with its long term owner.
XLC 496 was manufactured on the 12th June 1959, supplied new by Henlys London in Pearl Grey with Red leather upholstery. A Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate accompanies the car, along with a huge box of history with several invoice folders, photo albums and paperwork confirming the car is full matching numbers. From the extensive file we can see it only known early owner was a company, Car Lighting Services of Birmingham, and it was the son who sold the car in 1988 to its recent long-term owner. The XK was really used extensively during the 1960's, the 1969/ 1970 tax disc is still with the car and it was from 1970 the XK was laid up and in need of restoration. During the 1970's the XK was dismantled, taken to the bare chassis and a major rebuild was undertaken. The body was removed from the chassis and RS panels of Nuneaton, rebuilt the shell to an exceptional standard. Their 1980 invoice stated; to remove body from chassis, remove front wings, rear wings, rear floor assembly, sills and door pillars, assemble new parts on chassis and rebuild body complete, prepare for lead loading. There next invoice was to re-paint the bodyshell, and still today RS Panels are globally renowned for their workmanship. The engine was fully stripped down and rebuilt, re-fitted to the chassis but unfinished in 1988, the XK was sold with the body off, but fully complete with masses of original components.
In 1988 when the recent owner purchased the XK150 S, the body was painted but he decided to strip it back to bare metal again and have it completely re-painted. The XK over a couple of years was beautifully rebuilt to the highest of standards. A wonderful photo record accompanies the car showing an enormous level of detail. The interior was re-trimmed by Suffolk & Turley, later the current more comfortable bucket seats fitted for long distance touring (the original front seats are with the car). Built up to a magnificent standard, the XK was ready for serious use and the car has been a real part of the long term owner's family. The XK has been superbly maintained with a lovely handwritten log accompanying the various folders of invoices, and 42, 000 miles across the UK and Europe have been covered. XLC 496 has participated in so many Norwich Union RAC Classic rallies, Motor Sports Classics events and many Euro Classic events and this really must be one of the best travelled XK150's we've seen.
Photos are on file at many Grand Prix circuits across Europe and many route books cover the places toured during the 1990's and 2000's. Paris, Poitiers, Toulouse, through Andorra and down to Valencia, another trip covered Brussels to Hannover, Leipzig over to Prague then Budapest. Other memorable rallies included a tour to the Nurburgring via Calais, Dijon and Strasbourg and Monza, Italy via Luxembourg, through Switzerland to Northern Italy through Como was another very memorable trip. This really has been the ultimate touring XK150 and a huge level of confidence can be taken from its classic rally experience and provenance.
The cars long term owner is now in his late 80's, and its time to find a new home for this incredible machine. Finding examples like this is hard, but also a previous owner who has been so meticulous is also rare. A local Jaguar specialist has looked after the XK with no expense spared and its absolutely on the button. XLC 496 has been beautifully kept, the bodyshell is truly outstanding, the chassis first class, chrome work beautiful and the attention to detail under the bonnet, and in the spare wheel compartment is there to see. The cellulose paintwork over 30 years on still gleams and has a deep finish, and of course 42000 miles and 35 years on it has a lovely aged feel. The upholstery has an equally delightful feel to it, and on the road this 150 S is outstanding. The long-term owner enjoyed a final drive from Malton to our site at West Knapton, and we can confirm the car is fabulous on the road. The 3. 4 engine sounds terrific, performance is superb, the engine is incredibly fit and the triple carbs perfectly set up. Oil pressure is excellent, the Moss gearbox a delight to use and the overdrive works correctly. Handling, road holding, brakes are all as expected, the car is just a delight and one of the finest XK's one could wish to drive.
This is a car we are very excited about; we've known it personally for almost 15 years and we cannot highlight enough how spectacular this car is, both in terms of condition, but also provenance and history. This is an unrepeatable opportunity to purchase an incredibly correct, genuine UK XK150S, this is a true one off.
