The Jaguar XKSS: From D-Type Racer to Multi-Million Dollar Street-Legal Legend

Jaguar XKSS History

Jaguar’s racing heritage precedes its reputation of making luxury and sports cars and the D-Type was a popular one among the race cars. Then there are times when an automaker decides to change its course of business and Jaguar did that by withdrawing itself from Le Mans by the end of 1956.

 After that, the brand was left with some examples of the D-Type race cars which were slated to be converted into road cars. With that plan, the brand did convert a few examples into road legal models by doing several cosmetic upgrades and these were badged as XKSS.

However, the car was left untouched mechanically. Jaguar planned to build 25 units of the XKSS Roadsters out of which 16 were completed. The remaining 9 vehicles were destroyed by a devastating fire that broke out at Jag’s manufacturing facility on Browns Lane. Later in 2016, the brand stated that it would finish building the remaining 9 units of the XKSS by hand building them and matching them as closely as possible with the original 1957 XKSS.

Jaguar XKSS Design & Styling

Like other cars in the 50s, the Jaguar XKSS had a smooth and streamlined design, and more so due to racing purposes. Jaguar did something extraordinary while designing the original D-Type by utilizing aeronautical technology. To reduce drag, the driver’s section was given an elliptical shape and its smaller cross-section also improved torsional rigidity as well. 

The cockpit was made out of several aluminum alloy sheets and had a monocoque construction. The front end of the car was joined to a subframe that held the car’s front suspension, sterling assembly, and powertrain. While the rear differential and the rear suspension assembly had a separate subframe.

 To complete the aviation-inspired design of the car. The designers also had a Marston Aviation Division bag, which was deformable, fixed into the fuel tank’s area while the fuel tank was shifted to the extreme rear of the car.

While preparing the car to make it street-legal, there were several cosmetic upgrades only. The upgrades include the addition of a chrome lined and curved windshield, removing the divider between the driver’s cockpit and the passenger, adding a separate door for the passenger, and adding a foldable roof.

 The doors were also given glass screens that came made the design complete once the top was in place. For styling purposes, the front end has a chrome bumper and the headlamp units have sleek chrome rings surrounding them.

Jaguar XKSS Engine & Performance

The engine of the XKSS was designed specifically for Le Mans hence it was built to last. The 3.4L Jaguar XK6 engine I6 was directly carried over from the race car and it produces around 262 hp along with 242 lb-ft of torque. 

While the number game might not be appealing by today’s standards, the car can hit 60 mph from a standstill in a respectable 5.2 seconds and do a top speed of 150 mph. And all these numbers are respectable for today’s standards as well.

The Inline-6 motor features headers made from R50 aluminum. For the time, the engine’s double overhead camshafts, two valves for each cylinder, and a triple Weber carburetor configuration were advanced and a rarity.

Jaguar XKSS Pricing & Value

Over the course of time and the fact that Steve McQueen owned one XKSS, the value of the car increased without any bounds. And the extremely less production units out there also made the car more exclusive.

During its launch, Jaguar set a tag of $6,900 for each unit.

 However, at present the original XKSS fetches anything above $13 Mills, depending on the availability and condition of the car. The relaunched continuation models of the car were set to be sold for $1.4 million each however, that price is no match for what the original XKSS cost now. RM Sotheby's at Monterey 2023 sold a 1957 Jaguar XKSS for $13.2 Million.

Image Source- Jaguar Media