Launched in 1957, the Jaguar XK150 was the most radical step forward in the XK range since the launch of the revolutionary XK120.

The XK150 was vastly different in both style and performance from the XK140 it replaced and was a much bigger step forward than had been taken from the 120 to the 140.

The most striking external change was the straighter wing line, widened bonnet and single wrap-around windscreen, which replaced the, now dated, two-piece split screen.

This gave the XK150 an altogether more modern look.

More generous interior space was also achieved by putting the doors on a diet and the wooden interior was lost in favour of leather-clad dashboard and door caps.

At 190bhp, the 3.4-litre engine's maximum power output was identical to that of the XK140, so performance was little changed, but ‘Special Equipment' and 'S' versions offered 210bhp and 250bhp respectively, the latter delivering an astonishing 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 136mph.

This improvem...