Topless Jag Touched by Scandal Seeks Sugar Daddy

By Tom Mack

If you’re old enough to cast your mind back half a century, and have the financial means to indulge in a little risqué activity, then here’s an intriguing temptation to consider. It may involve some undercover work, clandestine travel and nerves of steel – financial, that is.

A gorgeous 1959 Jaguar XK150 convertible, with connections to one of the most famous British political scandals of all time, goes under the auction hammer next month in Silverstone Auctions’ sale, February 22nd and 23rd.

The car was owned by Dr Stephen Ward, the osteopathic physician at the centre of the Profumo Affair in 1963. Ward was the man who introduced John Profumo, Conservative MP and Secretary of State for War, to longstanding friend, model and showgirl Christine Keeler, who at the time was also allegedly in a relationship with a Soviet spy.

The subsequent revelations of their affair led to Profumo’s resignation amid fears of a national security breach. After the scandal surfaced Ward was prosecuted with living off the earnings of prostitution and took his own life just as his trial was coming to an end.

Commenting on the car, Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “Few Jaguars can boast such a fascinating ownership record and one that seemingly defined the era when it was first driven. Few cars offered at auction have such an amazing connection to such important events in British political history.”

The zaftig XK150 benefitted from a ground-up restoration in 1990. Both the interior and bodywork are in superb condition, having only covered 15,300 km (9,500 miles) since.

The sale of the car comes amid heightened interest in the scandal, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, the launch in December of a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Ward, based on the affair, as well as for calls for Ward’s conviction to be overturned.

If your travels take you to the other side of the pond in mid-February, it might be worth your while to drop by the auction for a more intimate inspection of this scandalous beauty. You never know, it could be the start of a long-term affair.

For more information on the car visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1959-jaguar-xk150-drophead-coupe-2932