Jaguar XK140/150 In Detail

by Clausager, Anders Ditlev

• ISBN13: 9781906133078
• ISBN10: 1906133077
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-11-15
• Publisher: Herridge & Sons Ltd.

Summary

Jaguarrs"s series of XK sports cars used the remarkable twin overhead camshaft engine that was first exposed to the public in 1948 in the new XK120 two-seater, which took the motoring world by storm. For 1954 the XK120 was replaced by the mildly restyled XK140 model, with an increase in power, optional overdrive and a roomier cockpit. It was replaced in 1957 by the XK150. With disc brakes on all wheels, the option of engines up to 265bhp and a completely new body, the XK150 was an extremely competent performance car with more than a touch of glamour. This book opens with an exposition of the background to the introduction of the XK140, a key model because the XK120 was such a hard act to follow. Then comes a full technical analysis of the new car, covering all aspects of the chassis, running gear, engine and transmission. This sets the scene for the coverage of the XK150. Major production changes during the evolution of the two models are recorded, and production and sales worldwide are analyzed in depth. The author also provides information on prototypes and special-bodied cars.

Author Biography

Anders Ditlev Clausager was born in Denmark in 1949 and came to Britain in 1974 to study automotive design at the Royal College of Art. After graduating he briefly worked as a designer for Volkswagen but returned to Britain to work for BL cars. In 1979 he became the archivist to BL Heritage and later the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. He held this position until 2000, when he was invited to move to a similar post at the Jaguar Daimler Heritage trust. He has written over 16 books, the most recent the sister title to this book, Jaguar XK120 In Detail.