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Overview
Regular viewers of the DRIVETRIBE Channel will be familiar with this classic Jag. It’s the same car that Richard set out to restore over a year ago. Neil and Anthony Greenhouse gave this once battered XK150, a new lease of life. Well now, it’s finally finished (almost), and at long last, Hamster finally got a chance to take it out for a blast.
With all the chrome being given a once over as well
Hammond acquired this beautiful example when he replaced his vintage Lagonda. However, when he bought the car, it needed a lot of attention as it had been abused quite a bit. Special attention was needed when it came to restoring the body, because cars from this period, were mostly hand-made with panels beaten to perfection.
Richard Hammonds Jaguar XK150 Project Car
It wasn’t in the best shape as it was a car that was thoroughly used and abused and the restoration team, had their work cut out
Moving on, Richard hit the road in his new pride and joy, with a glorious sound note that invokes nothing but nostalgia. The car seen here is an FHC or fixed head coupe. He begins by comparing it to the XK120, which came before the XK150, and the E-Type that followed it.
As is often the case with a new Jaguar, utterly beautiful, but nobody fit in it. It’s just something Jaguar does. You think of the E-Type that followed this car. When it arrived everybody gasped, Oh my God! That’s the most beautiful car ever made, but then discovered not even me could fit in it
– Richard Hammond.
As he chugged along the English countryside, Hammond briefly talks about how this XK150 came about his way. He acquired the when he replaced his old 1931 Lagonda
Both cars weren’t that great when it came to accommodating full-size adults. Richard himself struggled to fit in the E-Type. With the XK150 however, there was enough room on the inside. With that out of the way, Richard pulls over to talk about some of the visual changes that were made to the car.
A Glorious Exterior
He then briefly pulls over to highlight some of the exterior changes that have been done to the car
The car has been finished in a beautiful shade called Dove Grey, although if you’ll notice, there’s one big change upfront. The bumpers are now gone. Richard wanted it to look a little angrier and he hence added a touch of sportiness, as you’d find on an old Rally car.
The car has been finished in an original color called Dove Grey. Hammond got rid of the bumper round the back as well
Other exquisite details include a leather strap on the hood, along with vents to help the engine discharge heat better,
an S Badge, a Tulpen Rallye Badge, and even more leather straps, which all add to this Jag’s overall character.
The Cabin
The flat grey paint really goes well against the striking red cabin
Hammond didn’t really talk about the interior, however, the striking red color goes really well against the flat grey paint of the exterior. You can’t miss the wooden steering wheel either, or all the chrome on the gauges and the window surrounds and that very purposeful spherical gear knob with a retro font, which helps with switching between the cogs.
Changes under the Skin
He now goes over some of the mechanical changes done to the car. The 3.4 liter straight-six engine was rebuilt with hotter cams
Next, we move to the Mechanicals, and there are a few changes to report here. Under the Hood or Bonnet, if you’re British, lies a 3.4 liter straight six engine, that later on went on to also feature in the E-Type as a 3.8 Liter.
The car has received a full engine rebuild,
now features a new improved cam, a limited-slip differential, and better brakes.
But there’s one big controversial change according to Richard. He swapped out the old Moss gearbox with a modern transmission, which he’s not really a fan of. So the XK150 might head back to the workshop to have it back. Apart from the oily bits, the car also got new shocks, new springs, and new bushes, which have transformed the way that this old Jaguar handles.
To Sum it Up
In fact, it was this very car and the interest surrounding it that compelled him to start his new show, Richard Hammonds Workshop, which began airing last week
This restoration really gave Richard the opportunity to treat it as a blank canvas and do whatever he wanted to the car. In fact, it was the tremendous amount of interest in this XK150, that compelled Richard to start his new classic car restoration show, Richard Hammonds Workshop, which went live last week.
Overall, Richard is pleased with how the XK150 has turned out. It is still an ongoing project and he says that the car will also make brief appearances in the show.
Watch Richard himself take you through his XK150 in the video below
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