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The Jaguar That Cheated Death – How Fire, Fame, and Steve McQueen Forged the XKSS Legend
The Jaguar XKSS—a car that epitomizes the phrase "rise from the ashes," quite literally in this case. Born from the legendary D-Type, which had already made its mark by clinching Le Mans victories in the mid-1950s, the XKSS was Jaguar's audacious attempt to transform a race car into a road-going supercar.
The mastermind behind this endeavor was none other than Sir William Lyons, the co-founder of Jaguar. Lyons, with his penchant for blending performance with elegance, envisioned the XKSS as a way to utilize the remaining D-Type chassis after Jaguar's withdrawal from racing. The plan was to convert 25 of these racers into street-legal sports cars, complete with creature comforts like a passenger-side door, full-width windscreen, and even a rudimentary convertible top—luxuries unheard of in their track-focused predecessors.
However, fate had other plans. On the 12th of February, 1957, a catastrophic fire engulfed Jaguar's Browns Lane factory in Coventry. The inferno destroyed nine of the 25 planned XKSS cars, leaving only 16 to be completed. This tragic event inadvertently bestowed upon the XKSS an exclusivity that would make it one of the most coveted automobiles in history.
One of the most famous XKSS owners was the "King of Cool" himself, Steve McQueen. McQueen's love affair with his XKSS is the stuff of automotive legend. He reportedly bought the car twice, having sold it only to experience seller's remorse and repurchase it. The XKSS became a staple of his garage, often spotted roaring through the streets of Hollywood, embodying the perfect blend of celebrity glamour and high-performance engineering.
The XKSS's rarity and pedigree have made it a darling of the auction block. In recent years, these cars have fetched astronomical sums, with collectors willing to part with millions to own a piece of this storied lineage. The combination of its racing heritage, the tragic factory fire, and its association with icons like McQueen have elevated the XKSS to near-mythical status in the automotive world.
In a nod to its illustrious past, Jaguar announced in 2016 that it would build nine "continuation" XKSS models, meticulously hand-crafted to the exact 1957 specifications. This move was not just a tribute to the original cars but also an opportunity for a select few to experience the magic of the XKSS anew.
In essence, the Jaguar XKSS is more than just a car; it's a symbol of resilience, innovation, and timeless allure. It stands as a testament to Jaguar's ability to turn adversity into opportunity, creating a legacy that continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The Jaguar XKSS - a car that, even in the pantheon of automotive legends, stands out like a Savile Row suit at a seaside barbecue. Its design is a masterclass in elegance, seamlessly blending the raw aggression of a Le Mans racer with the refined sophistication of a gentleman's express.
The Design Genesis
The XKSS owes its existence to the Jaguar D-Type, a car that had already etched its name into racing history with multiple Le Mans victories. When Jaguar decided to withdraw from factory racing in 1956, they were left with a surplus of D-Type chassis. Ever the pragmatists, Jaguar's management, led by the visionary Sir William Lyons, chose to convert these racing thoroughbreds into road-going sports cars. Thus, the XKSS was born—a D-Type with a dinner jacket, if you will.
Aesthetic Alchemy
Transforming a track beast into a boulevard cruiser required more than just bolting on a license plate. The XKSS featured a full-width windscreen, a passenger-side door, and the addition of a rudimentary folding top—concessions to comfort that did little to dilute its racing pedigree. The removal of the iconic D-Type's rear fin and the addition of chrome bumpers lent the XKSS a more approachable demeanor, yet it retained an unmistakable sense of purpose.
The Hand of the Craftsman
Every curve of the XKSS was sculpted with an artisan's touch. The bodywork, crafted from lightweight aluminum, was hand-formed by skilled panel beaters who treated metal as if it were malleable clay. This bespoke approach ensured that each XKSS possessed a unique character, a testament to the craftsmen's dedication to their art.
Collector's Holy Grail
The XKSS's rarity is the stuff of legend. Originally, 25 were slated for production, but a catastrophic fire at Jaguar's Browns Lane factory in 1957 destroyed nine of them, leaving only 16 in existence. This scarcity, combined with its dual heritage as both racer and road car, has made the XKSS one of the most coveted automobiles among collectors. In recent years, well-preserved examples have commanded prices that would make even a hedge fund manager blanch. For instance, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS was estimated to sell for between $11.6 million to $14.3 million at an RM Sotheby's auction.
A Modern Homage
In 2016, Jaguar announced the production of nine "continuation" XKSS models, meticulously hand-built to the exact specifications of the originals. This endeavor was not merely a nod to nostalgia but a celebration of the timeless appeal of the XKSS's design. These new models allowed a select few to experience the allure of the XKSS without the trepidation of piloting a priceless original.
Timeless Elegance
The XKSS embodies a design philosophy that transcends eras. Its lines are as captivating today as they were over six decades ago, a harmonious blend of form and function that continues to inspire automotive designers. It's a car that doesn't just occupy space but commands it, leaving an indelible impression on all fortunate enough to behold it.
In the world of classic cars, the Jaguar XKSS is akin to a rare vintage wine—its value and allure only intensify with time. It's a rolling sculpture, a testament to an era when automotive design was as much about artistry as it was about engineering. And like all great art, it remains eternally captivating, a symbol of elegance that defies the passage of time.
" A thing of beauty is a joy forever. "
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John Keats
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English Poet
" Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting. "
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Steve McQueen
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American Actor and Motorsport Enthusiast
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Jaguar XKSS