Description
This XK150S is the famous 'Hartin Fastback', which was commissioned by the first owner in 1962. Originally a fixed-head coupé, the car was supplied new to the Cooden Engineering Co of Cooden Beach, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex and registered by them on 3 March 1960. Cooden's was an authorized Jaguar dealer and sold the car with a recorded mileage of 186 miles on 7 March 1960 to Mr AE Richardson, 679 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey.
Eric Richardson appears to have been a senior partner of the law firm Clutton, Moore & Lavington, which had offices at the Thornton Heath address (see letter of 7 March 1978). Investigations revealed he had family in Durham and traveled back and forth from Surrey most weekends. In his letter to Jaguar Cars dated March 22, 1960, Mr Richardson states that he normally drove almost 1000 miles in a weekend – and this was before there was a motorway network! Maintenance records show that total miles increased to 28 by September 1960, 17.000; to 61.600 on April 20, 1962; and to 77.500 on February 27, 1963. Eric Richardson clearly chose the than 150 km/h. Not satisfied with this performance, he wrote to Jaguar Cars less than a week after delivery asking for information on the maximum achievable speed, the maximum usable rpm, if a speedometer with a higher reading was available. Jaguar's response makes amusing reading as they apparently thought the car was fast enough in stock form. But undeterred by their response, he wrote again to Coventry's Technical Service Manager asking for more information and insisting that he would need a speedometer with a higher reading. Mr. Richardson clearly managed to get even more speed out of the car, as he later contacted Jaguar and said the car needed an even higher speedometer. Eventually they managed to come up with a speedometer of the type used on D-Types, which is calibrated to 0 mph. This was fitted on May 100, 8, after the car had covered some 135 miles in just over two years, and the relevant gauge is still fitted to this day. In 200 the engine, after being worn out, was replaced by a correct 14-litre 'VAS' S engine.
The conversion to the fastback configuration was done in order to preserve the car while Mr. Richardson's young son grew up. Apparently he had grown too tall to sit in the back of the standard XK150S FHC on trips to Durham and back. Instead of selling the car, Mr. Richardson Leonard and Ron Hartin were commissioned to design a conversion loosely based on Sunbeam Alpines and Aston Martins' Ashley hardtops of the period. L&R Hartin Panels Ltd, based in Hanwell, West London, started out as commercial 'metal bashers' before moving on to produce bodies for Cooper Cars, a contract that would see them making bodies for Lotus (including Jim Clark's Indianapolis 500 winner ) and McLaren. The conversion was carried out to the highest standards using aluminum panels and at the same time the front fenders were also redesigned, with the side lights integrated into the front indicators. The end result was arguably a much nicer fixed-head coupe with more rear headroom and a trunk of still adequate proportions. Sold by Richardson, and several owners later, 'RPM 935' was slowly and lengthy restored from 1990 onwards. In total, the process took four years. Numerous parts had to be specially made, including the rear window and rear trim. Fewer than 200 XK150S fixed-head coupes were made, so the final decision to be made was whether to restore stock or retain the existing bodywork. After consultation with many Jaguar experts and historians, it was decided to follow the designs and wishes of the original owner, while retaining the spirit of this unique car. Halfway through the restoration, it was decided to prepare 'RPM 935' for light competition work in order to respond to the growing number of classic car events. With this in mind the chassis was strengthened and welded, a roll cage and competition seats were fitted and engine power was increased by fitting triple Weber carburettors, competition pistons and cams, etc. 'RPM 935' was ready for the start of the 1994 Lands End to John O'Groats Touring Trial ('Le Jog') and completed the event without missing a beat.
Since then, the Hartin Fastback has appeared in numerous publications, including Thoroughbred and classic cars (October 1995), Jag Mag (December 1995), XK Gazette (May 1998) and Jaguar World Magazine (November 2009). It was further maintained and improved by Cambridge Motorsport with additional input from marque specialists, CKL Developments (accounts on file). In its current specification, the 'RPM 935' has an engine prepared by Mass Racing; triple SU carburettors; Borg-Warner T5 five-speed transmission; alloy radiator and oil cooler; Coopercraft 4-plate brake calipers and ventilated discs at the front; XJ6 rear disc brakes; vacuum brake servo; adjustable dampers all around; negative-ground alternator electronics; and Aston Martin DB6 wire wheels.
