1958 Xk150 coupe
#1
Guest
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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
thanks
#2
#3
#4
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
ohhh yessss, my favorite woman, I mean, car, the XK Coupe.the most beautifulJaguar 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 someexpertise to reproduce rotted wood parts, butdon't let a rotted woodframe 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!
[IMG]local://upfiles/1235/EEAD7E08589F4DF1A95B242AC6C208E9.jpg[/IMG]
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 someexpertise to reproduce rotted wood parts, butdon't let a rotted woodframe 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!
[IMG]local://upfiles/1235/EEAD7E08589F4DF1A95B242AC6C208E9.jpg[/IMG]
#6
#7
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RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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
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
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#8
#9
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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 developmentcame 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
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
#11
#13
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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.
#14
#15
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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 theMG had THREE!
By 1972 theinterior was rotting fromwater 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 giantsport cars. (notice that there was no XK-130).
By 1972 theinterior was rotting fromwater 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 giantsport cars. (notice that there was no XK-130).
#16
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#17
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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.
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.
#18
#19
RE: 1958 Xk150 coupe
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 theydeteriorated fast! And a lot depends on the climate. I imagine they last a long time in Australia.
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 theydeteriorated fast! And a lot depends on the climate. I imagine they last a long time in Australia.