28/06/2008 20:06. The 1957-61 British XK-150 was the last of Jaguar's famous "XK" sports cars, and the one best suited to America.

The XK-150 was preceded by the gorgeous Jaguar XK-120, which was a sensation in the early 1950s. But Americans soon wanted more refinement. Jaguar thus gave them the mid-1950s Jaguar XK-140, which had the XK-120's lithe styling but featured more comfort and power.

The XK-150 was the most mechanically developed of the XK line, and also was the plushest, most-civilized version. Although sleek, it was the least sexy looking XK model because it was a bulkier version of its predecessors, with a wider body, higher front fenders, recountered belt line below the windows and a larger grille.

The XK-150 was less of a pure sports car than its predecessors, but the U.S. market was... // Chicago Sun-Times