Bruce Keeley was a lifelong collector of old motorcycles, until a back operation in 2016 left him unable to kickstart a bike.
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So, he turned his attention to old cars.
“I have been interested in old cars, and sports cars all my life, since when I was a teenager,” Mr Keeley said.
“I thought perhaps I might sell the bikes and get an old sports car.”
He modestly set his sights on maybe an old MG, and kept an eye out at the Sydney auctions.
Then he saw a 1960 Jaguar XK 150 FHC.
He’d always admired the model, but they were normally far out of his price range.
“I bit the bullet and decided I’d go for it,” Mr Keeley said.
“It’s one hell of a beautiful car.”
He put in a bid, and won.
The car was slightly cheaper than standard, because imported from America in 1990, it came without a pedigree.
It is in beautiful condition however. Its original Australian owner spent four years doing to car up, converted it to a right-hand drive, and a manual gearbox, then barely drove it. It the years between 24 years between 1994 and 2018, it had done just around 5,000 kilometres.
A 1960 model, the car is one of the last XK series produced by Jaguar. It
Having recently driven the car back from Sydney, Mr Keeley is still revelling in his purchase.
“Sitting in a car like that, listening to the engine going, putting your foot down, and it’s got plenty of power even though it’s a 58 year old car,” Mr Keeley said.
“It was beautiful engine sound.”
He’s so happy with it, he’s even planning to give a party for those who have helped him through the process.
Keeley is also looking forward to showing it off at Braidwood Motor Club events.