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Topic starter
29/11/2025 8:58 am
1957 Jaguar XKSS
The 1957 Jaguar XKSS is an iconic, ultra-rare road-going version of the Le Mans-winning D-Type race car, with only 16 original examples ever built. Valued for its rarity and performance, original models command multimillion-dollar prices at auction.
Overview and History
The Jaguar XKSS was born after Jaguar withdrew from factory racing in 1956 and sought to convert its unsold D-Type chassis into road-legal cars, primarily for the American market. The conversion involved several modifications from the D-Type, including:
- A full-width windscreen with wipers.
- An added passenger-side door.
- A folding soft top.
- Chromed front and rear bumperettes.
- Removal of the large headrest fairing and tailfin.
Only 16 units were completed before a devastating fire at Jaguar's Browns Lane plant on February 12, 1957, destroyed the remaining nine unfinished chassis, abruptly ending the production run. In 2016, Jaguar Classic announced a limited "continuation" run of these nine destroyed cars, built to the exact original specifications.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.4L Jaguar XK6 Inline 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | Approximately 250 bhp @ 6,000 RPM |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| 0-60 mph | Around 5 seconds |
| Top Speed | Approximately 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Weight | ~2,030 lbs (921 kg) due to magnesium alloy body |
Collectability and Price
The scarcity, Le Mans pedigree, and celebrity ownership (most notably by actor Steve McQueen, who nicknamed his car "the Green Rat") make the original 1957 Jaguar XKSS one of the most coveted classic cars in the world.
- Originals: Prices at auction have reached as high as $13.2 million (RM Sotheby's, August 2023). Some examples with unique provenance are estimated to be worth much more, with estimates around $14 million to $18 million.
- Continuation Models: The nine factory-built continuation cars, produced in 2016-2017, were expected to sell for over £1 million each and have sold at auction for around $1.5 to $2 million.
- Re-creations: High-quality re-creations by specialist firms can be found for a significantly lower price point, with some examples around $165,000.
The main differences between the D-Type and the XKSS?
The main differences between the Jaguar D-Type and the XKSS are primarily
additions made to convert the track-focused D-Type into a road-legal, more user-friendly sports car for the American market. The core mechanical components, such as the engine and chassis, remained largely the same.
Here are the key differences:
Exterior and Bodywork
- Windscreen: The D-Type had a small, low aero screen for racing aerodynamics. The XKSS was fitted with a full-width, chrome-framed, production-spec windscreen with wipers for road use and safety regulations.
- Doors: The D-Type was a single-seater (or had a removable cover over the passenger area for airflow). The XKSS added a functional passenger-side door.
- Rear Fin: The D-Type featured a large, aerodynamic headrest fairing and tailfin behind the driver for high-speed stability on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. This fin was removed for the XKSS.
- Luggage Rack: The area where the D-Type's fin was located was fitted with a chrome luggage rack on the XKSS.
- Bumpers: The XKSS added chrome front and rear bumperettes to meet road-legal requirements and for cosmetic appeal.
- Rear Lights: The XKSS used full taillights mounted high on the rear fenders, likely sourced from the Jaguar XK140 model, unlike the D-Type's more minimal racing lights.
Interior and Comfort
- Passenger Seat: The XKSS added a full passenger seat alongside the driver's, replacing the D-Type's single cockpit configuration.
- Cockpit Divider: The D-Type's central cockpit divider was removed in the XKSS to create a more integrated two-abreast interior.
- Weather Protection: A rudimentary, folding soft top and detachable side screens for the doors were added to the XKSS for weather protection, absent in the open-cockpit D-Type racer.
- Interior Trim: The XKSS featured a more trimmed interior compared to the D-Type's stripped-down racing cockpit, adding a modicum of comfort.
Mechanicals and Performance
- Weight: The additions made the XKSS slightly heavier than the D-Type (approximately 30kg difference).
- Engine: The engine was largely the same 3.4-liter straight-six unit, though the D-Type engine was tuned for slightly higher output (around 245-250 bhp for the D-Type, similar for the XKSS), depending on the exact race specification.
- Exhaust: The XKSS had a shielded exhaust system compared to the D-Type's side-exit setup.
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Who were some famous XKSS owners besides Steve McQueen?
Besides Steve McQueen, other notable individuals and collectors who have owned an original Jaguar XKSS include prominent US television personalities, British aristocrats, and major car collectors
.
Famous owners (or those closely associated with the cars) include:
- Bill Leyden: A US television game show host who owned McQueen's specific XKSS (chassis 713) before selling it to the actor.
- William F. Harrah: The gambling tycoon and famous car collector who purchased McQueen's car for his automobile collection, though McQueen later bought it back.
- Lord Anthony Bamford: A prominent British collector who owned one specific XKSS (chassis 707) for a time as part of his significant collection.
- Gary W. Bartlett: A noted collector who owns XKSS 728, a highly original example that Jaguar Classic used as a reference point for their modern "continuation" models.
- James Hull: A British collector whose extensive collection of 450 British cars, including an XKSS, was sold for an estimated £100 million in 2014.
- Lou Brero Sr.: A noted Ferrari racer who originally ordered one of the cars, although he tragically died before taking delivery.
-
: The current custodians of Steve McQueen's famous XKSS, where it is displayed to the public.
-
: This museum in the Netherlands owns XKSS 722, which is part of their collection.
John Bono
North Jersey
29/11/2025 9:36 am
It's a shame you couldn't find any info on this Jaguar John! WOW! A plethora of data, info - thank you sir, you've done an outstanding job of putting together a Bible on the XKSS.
You'd be hard pressed, if not totally unable, to find a Jaguar I didn't like. But this is one of my all-time favorites! Great reading here - I'll see you later!!
29/11/2025 10:27 am
Wow,John. My favourite Jaguar road car, and that says a lot. I have several books specifically on the Jaguar XKSS and I doubt they contain any more information than your extensive post. Thank you!
29/11/2025 11:38 am
Thank you John. Another day of learning from the forum. Thank you professor.
Topic starter
29/11/2025 5:31 pm
Thanks for the nice words Gents. AI is my friend which is a big asset. Got to thank AI since most of what I acquired is with AI's help.
John Bono
North Jersey
29/11/2025 7:46 pm
I always like to hunt around and add a bit too, no more text from me either, try a moving picture instead. And wow David that is quite a recommendation. Its just an absolutely magnificent vehicle. I have a 1/24 kit and a nice 1/43.
Topic starter
29/11/2025 9:48 pm
Geoff, love the video...thanks!
John Bono
North Jersey
Topic starter
29/11/2025 9:58 pm
David, I can see why it's a favorite...my pleasure.Wow,John. My favourite Jaguar road car, and that says a lot. I have several books specifically on the Jaguar XKSS and I doubt they contain any more information than your extensive post. Thank you!
John Bono
North Jersey
Topic starter
29/11/2025 10:06 pm
LOL! My pleasure Bob. Just taking advantage of some current technology.Thank you John. Another day of learning from the forum. Thank you professor.
John Bono
North Jersey
29/11/2025 10:43 pm
Great video, love the exhaust note!
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
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