Jaguar XKSS Overview (Including the Nine Continuation Cars)
The Jaguar XKSS, originally built in 1957, is one of the rarest and most iconic cars in automotive history. With only 16 units initially produced, the XKSS was a road-legal version of the legendary Jaguar D-Type race car. Its rarity and connection to racing have made it one of the most sought-after collector cars in the world. Back in 1957 nine cars were destroyed in a fire at the factory and never rebuilt. Now In 2016, Jaguar announced the production of nine continuation cars to complete the originally intended run, which was cut short due to the factory fire.
Design and Development
The XKSS shares many design elements with the Jaguar D-Type, maintaining the sleek aerodynamic profile and lightweight aluminium construction. However, for road use, several modifications were made to the D-Type design, including the addition of a passenger-side door, full windscreen, side windows, and a folding soft top. Despite these adjustments, the XKSS retains its racing DNA, offering both beauty and performance.
The nine continuation cars are built to the exact specifications of the original 1957 models. Jaguar’s Classic division used the original blueprints and traditional methods to recreate the vehicles, ensuring authenticity. The nine new XKSS cars were built to replace those lost in the 1957 Browns Lane factory fire, completing the initial production run of 25 cars.
Chassis and Drivetrain
The XKSS is powered by a 3.4-litre inline-six engine, producing 262 horsepower. This engine is paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox, delivering impressive acceleration and top speeds for its time. The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of over 140 mph. The lightweight chassis, coupled with advanced (for its time) suspension and braking systems, gives the XKSS agile handling and a thrilling driving experience.
The nine continuation cars also feature the same 3.4-litre inline-six engine, built to the original specifications. Every aspect of the car, from the engine to the bodywork, was recreated using the same techniques and materials as the original XKSS.
Performance
The Jaguar XKSS offers remarkable performance for a car from the 1950s. Its powerful engine and lightweight construction allow it to deliver excellent acceleration and top speeds, while the advanced suspension system ensures precise handling. The continuation cars maintain these performance characteristics, allowing collectors to experience the same thrilling ride as the original.
Interior and Features
The XKSS interior is minimalistic, focused purely on performance. The cockpit features bucket seats, simple instrumentation, and a driver-centric layout. It lacks modern conveniences, keeping the weight down and the focus on driving pleasure. The continuation models follow the same design principles, with hand-finished leather interiors and period-correct gauges and controls.
The Nine Continuation Cars
In 2016, Jaguar’s Classic division undertook the task of completing the original production run of the XKSS, creating the nine continuation models. These cars were meticulously crafted using the original blueprints, taking thousands of man-hours to build ensuring they are as faithful to the original 1957 models as possible. Every detail, from the aluminium bodywork to the leather interior and even the riveted construction, matches the original XKSS cars.
Each of the nine continuation cars took thousands of hours to build, with many parts made by hand to match the precision of the originals. Jaguar Classic used advanced scanning techniques to study existing XKSS models and ensure complete accuracy. The nine cars were sold to private collectors for a price which is believed to be over 1 million pounds each and are now some of the most valuable and exclusive Jaguars ever made. In 2017, Gooding and Co, An auction house in the states had an original XKSS for auction with an estimated selling price of between $13,000,000 and $16,000,000 but at the time of the article, there were no continuation cars for sale. One would be forgiven for thinking that those investing in one of these luxury machines would spend a considerable amount of time showing them off, but they may find it a mite tricky.
Legacy and Market Impact
The Jaguar XKSS has left an indelible mark on automotive history, revered for its beauty, performance, and rarity. It remains one of the most desirable collector cars, with original models often fetching prices upwards of $10 million at auctions. The nine continuation models only add to the car’s legend, offering a rare opportunity for collectors to own a brand-new XKSS built to original specifications.
The Jaguar XKSS is an iconic blend of racing performance and timeless design. Its connection to the D-Type, coupled with its limited production and racing pedigree, makes it one of the most sought-after cars in the world. The nine continuation models built in 2016 honour the original legacy, ensuring the XKSS continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts and collectors for generations to come.
Non road legal
These nine cars are perhaps more deserving of the name ‘modern classic’ than any other, as they are as previously stated, painstaking recreations of the Jaguar original 1957 model. The cars are so like the originals that they can’t be driven on roads in the UK, as they do not meet current safety standards and regulations concerning emissions.
Jaguar wasn’t able to secure the road legality necessary for their new model on an inherent basis, meaning the proud new owners of these already astonishingly expensive cars will have to seek legal permission to drive on roads on an individual basis, and at their own expense. If they’re unsuccessful, the only places they will be driving their shiny new modern classic is on dirt tracks and and private circuits.
Hardly the setting of choice for such a luscious car.
Far from being an unfortunate mistake, a Jaguar spokesman has made it clear that the engineers behind the new model were aware from the beginning that dedication to the original specifications would preclude making them road-legal.
Conclusion
While the cars are a beautiful site to behold, it is a bold and unusual move on the part of Jaguar, to knowingly roll out a model that doesn’t conform to emission laws, at a time when the motor industry is buzzing with excitement of the Tesla Model S and Chevy Bolt - both the pinnacle of electronic and Eco-friendly motoring.