One of the rarest and most collectible specifications
Absolutely pristine, show-quality condition
Detailed photographs documents every stage of the restoration , starting from the complete removal of the body from the chassis
Truly distinctive colour combination, a rare and striking pairing that remains exactly as originally specified
Rare original manually selected overdrive, original to early XK 150 3.4 S models, offering faster, smoother, and more reliable shifting than the standard electric unit, originally developed for potential competition use
Within the OTS group, the high‑performance “S” versions are significantly rarer. Roughly 888 examples produced in total
In discussions among enthusiasts, it is estimated that around 107 LHD XK 150 3.4 S OTS were equipped with the manual overdrive, a very limited subset of all S OTS models
Just a fraction of these cars have survived to the present day, and an even smaller number remain in the rare and highly desirable Dove Grey exterior colour
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Britain was rebuilding, and so was its automotive industry.
Amid this backdrop, Jaguar emerged not just as a car manufacturer, but as a creator of dreams.
The 1950s were a time of bold ambition: Jaguar wanted to build cars that were beautiful, fast, and exhilarating to drive, cars that could capture the imagination of enthusiasts around the world.
Racing was at the heart of this vision. The C-Type and later the D-Type roared around circuits like Le Mans, dominating their competition with innovative engineering and fearless performance.
These victories were more than trophies, they were proof that Jaguar could blend precision engineering with the thrill of speed, a philosophy that would carry over into its road cars.
For the public, the XK series was nothing short of magical. The XK120, when it appeared in 1948, stunned the world with its flowing lines and astonishing speed.
The XK140 refined that elegance, offering more comfort and refinement, but it was the XK150, introduced in 1957, that truly embodied Jaguar’s vision.
Sleeker, more powerful, and unmistakably modern, the XK150 offered performance and style in equal measure.
Its curves, chrome, and carefully engineered mechanics made it a car that could thrill on a winding country road or turn heads in a city street.
For anyone lucky enough to drive an XK 150 today, it is easy to see that same spirit still alive, a connection to an era when speed was poetry, and every Jaguar was a piece of living art.
During the production life of the Jaguar XK 150 (1957‑1961), just 2,265 were Open Two Seater (OTS / roadster) models, the “pure” roadsters rather than coupés.
Within that OTS group, the high‑performance “S” versions are significantly rarer. Roughly 888 examples produced in total.
Even rarer still are the early S OTS models fitted with the manually selected overdrive.
In discussions among enthusiasts, it is estimated that around 107 LHD XK 150 3.4 S OTS were equipped with the manual overdrive, a very limited subset of all S OTS models.
Over the decades, many of these cars have been lost, scrapped, or heavily modified and just a fraction of these cars have survived to the present day, and an even smaller number remain in the rare and highly desirable Dove Grey exterior colour.
So, under conservative assumptions, one might expect on the order of a few dozen 3.4 S OTS Jaguars worldwide that are in a rare original‑period colour like Dove Grey.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This elegant 1959 Jaguar XK 150 3.4 S Open Two Seater, was manufactured on 29 January 1959 and first registered on 28 February 1959.
It represents one of the most desirable variants of the XK 150 series, equipped with the high-performance 3.4 S engine, making it a rare and sought-after specification.
Since new, it has been equipped with the rare, manually selected overdrive, a far more desirable and reliable system than the standard electric unit.
This quick-shifting overdrive was initially developed by Jaguar for potential competition use and was fitted only to the earliest XK 150 3.4 S models, making it an especially significant feature of this particular car.
The distinctive exterior and interior colours remain exactly as specified at the time of the car’s original manufacture, preserving its authentic factory appearance.
Throughout its life, this XK 150 has been exceptionally cared for, and it still matches the specifications documented in the official Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, which accompanies the car.
Most importantly, the car underwent a major, no-expense-spared, restoration of outstanding quality.
Every mechanical, structural and cosmetic component was meticulously rebuilt, refinished, or renewed to the highest standards, with extraordinary attention to detail.
The level of craftsmanship invested in the project is immediately evident: the fit and finish, the mechanical smoothness, and the overall presentation place this XK 150 in a distinctly superior class.
Following the restoration, the car continued to receive careful maintenance, preserving its exceptional condition.
The result is a Jaguar XK 150 that ranks among the finest and best-driving examples we have ever experienced, a car that not just looks superb but also performs with remarkable precision and refinement.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
The exterior condition of this Jaguar XK 150 is truly exceptional, reflecting the depth and quality of its comprehensive restoration.
A CD-ROM with detailed photographs documents every stage of the work, starting from the complete removal of the body from the chassis.
The body was taken entirely back to bare metal and then meticulously rebuilt with the correct layers, resulting in a superb finish.
The body lines are precise, and the panel gaps: doors, bonnet, and boot are perfectly even, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship involved.
All chrome parts were refitted after the body restoration and are in excellent, mirror-like condition, while the glass for the windows and lamps is in as-new, flawless condition.
The car is fitted with chrome wire wheels in pristine condition, mounted with the highly regarded Michelin Pilote X tyres, which complement the XK’s stance and overall elegance.
The included photographic documentation on the CD-ROM allows one to fully appreciate the care, attention to detail, and extraordinary effort invested in restoring this car.
The result is a Jaguar XK 150 in absolutely pristine, show-quality condition.
CONDITION INTERIOR
Stepping into this XK 150 3.4 S OTS is like stepping back into 1959, into a world where every detail was designed to delight both the eye and the hand.
The cabin is upholstered in deep, sumptuous Red leather, a bold yet elegant choice that perfectly complements the rare Dove Grey exterior.
The leather has been restored with painstaking care, preserving the original design, feel, and finish, so that it looks and feels as it would have the day the car left the factory.
The dashboard features its original layout, with classic instruments clearly legible and beautifully framed, alongside the original steering wheel and polished wood rim, which feels both elegant and purposeful in the hand.
The gear lever and pedals are in as-new condition, and the interior carpets are plush and perfectly fitted, matching the period-correct specifications.
The original steering wheel, with its polished wood rim, invites the driver to connect with the car in a way that modern cars rarely allow.
Every time the doors close, it reminds you that this is a car that was not just crafted to be driven, but crafted to be admired, cherished, and remembered.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The moment you settle behind the polished wood steering wheel, the connection between driver and car is immediate.
Every control feels purposeful: the gear lever responds with precision, the pedals are perfectly weighted, and the chassis communicates the road beneath you with a clarity that modern cars rarely match.
The 3.4 S engine delivers a surge of effortless power, accelerating with a smooth yet urgent rhythm.
The manual overdrive adds another layer of engagement: it allows for higher-speed cruising with reduced engine stress, while maintaining the immediacy and responsiveness of the traditional gearbox.
Every drive reminds you why Jaguar built its reputation on elegance, speed, and sheer driving pleasure, and why this particular model, with its rare manual overdrive and meticulously restored components, is a joy to both admire and drive.
Ultimately, with just around 888 XK 150 3.4 S OTS produced and an estimated 107 equipped with the rare manual overdrive, this meticulously restored example stands among the smallest surviving handful of cars that combine factory configuration, its original Dove Grey finish and condition at such an extraordinary level.
Price on request
