1959 Jaguar XK150S 3.8 Litre Fixed Head Coupé. Registration No. Nsw BG1 56D. Exp. 15/07/2009. Chassis No. T82. A progressive development of the XK120 and XK140, the XK150 retained the same basic chassis, 3.4-litre engine and four-speed Moss transmission of its predecessors but benefited from an entirely new body providing increased interior space and improved visibility courtesy of a single-piece wrap-around windscreen. A higher front wing line and broader radiator grille were other obvious differences, but the new model's main talking point was its Dunlop disc brakes; at last the Xk had stopping power to match its prodigious straight-line speed. In the autumn of 1959 the XK150 became available with the 3.8-litre engine first seen in the Mark IX saloon. 'Standard' (220bhp) or 'S' (265bhp) states of tune were offered (the latter featuring overdrive as standard) and in either form the XK150's increased weight was more than offset by the power of the larger engine, the car regularly recording in excess of 130mph in magazine road tests. 'The Jaguar XK150 is undeniably one of the world's fastest and safest cars. It is quiet and exceptionally refined mechanically, docile and comfortable. As with most cars, there are a few body details which could be improved, but we do not know of any more outstanding example of value for money,' concluded Autocar. This example of the most sought after fixed head coupe variant of the XK150 was purchased by the current vendor from a professional restorer in South Africa in 1989 as a restoration project. The vendor was informed at this stage that the previous owner had purchased the car in the Uk and brought it to South Africa as a retirement project. However, having shipped the car and had the engine and gearbox fully overhauled and professionally rebuilt the project became too much for him and he asked the restoration firm to find a new home for it. The current vendor commenced a restoration with the firm he purchased the car from but during this period the firm went out of business so the restoration was re commenced from the chassis up. This restoration was completed in 1998. The car is supplied with a number of invoices pertaining to the restoration work and a small photographic record of the work completed. It is important to note that this particular example is fitted with a late model cylinder head which is of the same type that was then fitted to the E-type Jaguar. This cylinder head provided the later XK150S Jaguars with an enhanced performance and thus these rare examples are highly sought after by collectors today.