1958 Xk150 coupe

hey..im new here....i wanted some advice....im at a point where i can pick up my dream car...a 1958 XK150 coupe....just wanted to know what to look out for because i am going to check the car out on monday...the owner is asking for 75,000 Australian dollars...and i know nothing about jags....

thanks

A little too old for my knowledge.  I would say look for rust in all the body creases, etc.  That's a truly beautiful car.  I like the coupes more than the drop heads.

Welcome !
You know nothing about Jags but wanna buy that rare  beauty ? lol 
Go for it but inspect  prior to purchasing it
Good luck

ohhh yessss, my favorite woman, I mean, car, the XK Coupe. the most beautiful Jaguar ever created...Actually my favorite is the XK-140 Coupe.
 
I know a bit about those, since I've looked at a few XK but turned around and walked away:  These cars have very weak Door Hinges,  that's one area to really pay attention to, since reinforcing a rusted-out hinge is major surgery, it doesn't pay to try. Open the doors, if they do not stay level, it has the problem.
You will be able to tell without being an expert.
 
Rotted wood is another concern, there are certain wood frames inside the Trunk (Boot) Lid, and the interior floors. Although this is not "Decorator Grade" wood, it does require some expertise to reproduce rotted wood parts, but don't let a rotted wood frame discourage you.
 
Rust is the killer, look for rust at the Rocker Panels, at the Seams (thanks Ken),
the seams are at each fender-to-body (wings-to-body), and at the rocker panels, (the area under the doors). 
 
BUT: if the car is an Australian car, I doubt it is rotted, since the climate there preserves old cars, so good luck and I hope the car is worth the trouble.  
And there's many recognized Jaguar restorers in AU, and many parts suppliers, and many enthusiasts!
 
 


Thumbnail Image

Thanks Jose!! im going monday..if you boys want to see what im after i can take some pictures and post them here.....I will keep the above mentioned points in mind...anything else?

Thanks

definitely post pictures! as you found it.  I mean, this is archaeology, make sure you have enough film...

well..just got back..

couple of things...the door hings were a bit rusted and the door didnt shut properly. Otherwise it was good from the outside

While driving tho..the car seemed sluggish..in the sense that the steering was a bit heavy..even while driving....the owner reckons he still has the tyres from 1958!! and the spare had never been used...i am transferring the pics and will post them when done...

the throttle and brake response wasnt all that great as well..but then again...its an old car...i have a 1968 ford mustang fastback GT...the brakes are better on those....and they are factory stocks as well...the throttle response well u cant exactly compare can you....


any comments?

thanks

Enjoy your car !
Well, I higly recommend you to replace the tires asap .Original tires ? That's incredible

well you just found out that these cars drive a bit like a Pickup Truck, you can't compare them to your Mustang. They are 1950's technology, which for the British Auto Industry, was 1940's technology, because their car development came to a halt during the war years.  But in a sense, that's the beauty of it. They are primitive-driving for the most part. Sluggish they are not, assuming it has a 3.8 liter inline-6 engine, those have lots of raw power, you just need to tap it, and if the car has been sitting, it needs help.
 
I had a feeling about the door hinges! (been there-seen that!). But these cars are worth mucho mucho dinero in showroom condition, so if you can afford to slowly restore it to near perfect condition, (as in a 5-year time span), it will pay off big time at the end of the tunnel.
 
Pictures would be nice.
Jose

Here is a side shot..

http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=24092007703jc6.jpg

ohhh my!  I thought you were talking about a "basket case" car, one that requires total frame-off restoration, a "barn find" that has sat for 40 years!  But this car looks like a Driver, and it looks in choice condition regardless of the door hinges. My opinion?  Buy it.

I agree, the car looks great but please post more pics up!  Looks like a steal.

I've done a bit of research, and maybe try and knock a few K's off of the price.  The car truly is a rare beaut, but I've found a few in the area of 50K american dollars and they are in good condition.  The again, you can't really put a price on GREAT condition, which it looks like this car is in.

Too bad it isn't a roadster, they are my favorites, then you could ship it to me.   Buy it. But as with everything Jaguar, She's pretty, but high maintenence.... Stick around and let us know how it's going.  

me I prefer Hardtops, and a Two Seater Coupe Hardtop is it... My first car was a MG-B roadster back in 1969, everytime it rained I got soaked, I never understood the need for Wipers in a Convertible, and the MG had THREE!
By 1972 the interior was rotting from water and humidity, no more convertibles for yours truly! The car is still around. The owner put a Mazda engine in it, and a new interior of course!
 
The XK-150 was the last of the XK models. Then came the E-type. The XK-150 is a much smaller car compared to the XK-120 and XK-140 which are giant sport cars. (notice that there was no XK-130).

hey guys!

Im flying out to sydney on Saturday to check out a royal maroon XK150...it has a leather strap on the bonnet..its a 1960....comes with different rear lamps..anyone has any website to check the VIN so i can cross reference it with the real thing?

thanks

the only way I know of checking/verifying a Jaguar VIN is through the JDHT (Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust).  Only they have the vehicle identification numbers since the 1930's.  You have to send them the number, and they send you back a record of the manufacture date, where it was exported to, the first owner, (usually the selling Dealer), original color, etc., etc.  You can get their e-mail in their website, then you write to Julia for the details, payment, etc.
 
But why are you worried about the VIN of the car?  If it looks like a Jaguar, and roars like a Jaguar, it's a Jaguar.  

69 Jose?  That's the year my mom was born!   I always liked the belt over the hood, but do they snap or wear down easily?  I figure it's only been 40 years so it should be good.

haaa!  I was already buying my first car back in 1969...
 
those leather straps on the hood come from the days where hoods (bonnets) did not have Safety Catches, so they could fly open at speed and hit the windshield, and they did. Like any piece of leather exposed to rain they deteriorated fast! And a lot depends on the climate. I imagine they last a long time in Australia.

OUCH!  $100K+ car with broken windshield because of a bonnet belt?  OUCH!  Anyway to reinforce that jose?

$100k is a steal, they sell for $135k in top shape.