Occasionally, describing a car’s looks as “evolutionary” is to bestow the sincerest of compliments on its predecessor. In this case, the Jaguar XK 150 can thank the XK 140 that immediately preceded it and especially the XK 120 that brought Jaguar into the post-war era.

The XK 150 was more than just an evolution beneath its shapely body, however. Its body was more practical, with a single-piece windshield and conventional doors. Both open and closed top versions were offered, including a roadster, the drop head coupe, and the shapely fixed head coupe. Under the XK 150’s hood, an early production 190-hp straight-six soon gave way to more powerful, upsized units, including the 3.8-liter unit plucked from the Mark IX. Dunlop’s new disc brakes provided stopping power on the majority of XK 150s built.

The XK 150 offered here represents the ultimate in classic Jaguar construction. It is a late-production fixed head coupe, dispatched on 23 June 1960 to Jaguar Cars, New York, and fitted with the 265-hp version of the larger, 3.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine with its trio of SU carburetors. Sources report that just 150 examples were built. It was originally sold to Irving V. Link of Beverly Hills and reportedly spent nearly its entire life in California’s comfortable climate. The red XK 150 has been well preserved and maintains a largely original black interior, with new black leather seat upholstery. Limited updates like new wool carpets and rubber trim provide functional updates without disturbing its vintage feel.

Period-correct aftermarket details like an AM radio with antenna, a Talbot-Berlin sideview mirror, and a Motolita-style steering wheel serve as pleasant throwbacks. A substantial file of records and documentation accompanies this XK 150, verifying its originality and decades of cherished use.