Jaguar’s XK of sports cars from the ‘50s and early ‘60s established the Coventry firm as a premier builder of luxurious sporting cars. Their sumptuously styled sports cars with race-bred pedigree were special enough to be highly desirable by enthusiasts, but built on a scale that allowed them to dramatically undercut their competition.

The drophead is the second rarest of the body styles, with only 2,672 built, versus 4,445 coupes. The car presented here is a 1961 XK 150 S.E. drophead coupe in very attractive red paint with a black soft top. The attractive color scheme is accented by chrome knock-off wire wheels and wide whitewall tires, giving the car an elegant yet sporty appearance. The chrome trim and substantial bumpers are nicely finished and attractive. The cabin is more spacious than the roadster, and trimmed in black leather and vinyl with finely finished wood trim on the instrument panel. The gauges are correct Smiths units, well-presented and in good working condition.

Under the bonnet lies a 3.4-liter version of the legendary Jaguar XK engine. While this example was born as a 3.8, the engine was replaced at some point with this unit. It is an appropriate engine for an XK 150 and originally rated at a solid 180-hp. It carries the correct original cylinder head, as well as the S.E. specification dual-exhaust. Engine bay detailing is unfussy and tidy with original style air cleaners, glass washer bottle and the signature blue-painted cylinder head. With rack and pinion steering, this is a well-judged ride that has a comfortable cockpit and plenty of luggage space.

This XK 150 is a fine and fun driver’s car for weekend adventures. It has been refurbished to very good overall condition. An attractive and usable car with sound mechanicals, it could be certainly enjoyed to the fullest.