Lot 325: 1956 Jaguar XKSS

The Jaguar D-Type was one of the most beautiful and charismatic sports-racing cars ever made, not to mention one of the most successful. First appearing in 1954, the D-Type featured bodywork of a highly aerodynamic nature, complete with tail-mounted fin for top speed stability, penned by ex-aircraft designer Malcolm Sayer. The centre section of the car was of monocoque construction, similar to that of an aircraft fuselage, whilst power came from the now legendary twin-cam, dry-sump, 3,442cc six (later 3,781cc), which produced some 250bhp at a relatively unstressed 5,570rpm. Top speed was in excess of 170mph, whilst 60mph from standstill could be achieved in a breathtaking 4.7 seconds. Not surprisingly the D-Type dominated the international racing scene from the outset until its demise, by which time just over 70 examples had been built. Today the survivors are highly sought after and still make their presence strongly felt in historic racing. Considerably rarer still, though, is the XKSS, a lightly road-equipped D Type, complete with full windscreen, wipers, hood and rear luggage rack, produced to make use of the remaining D Type components at Jaguar's Browns Lane factory. After the disastrous fire that ripped through the factory in 1957, however, just 16 examples escaped unscathed, making the XKSS indisputably the rarest and most desirable of all Jaguar road cars - today these cars comfortably command prices in the region of £2 million. Such sums are clearly out of reach of most mortals and it is no surprise that exact replicas of the XKSS are highly sought after. This superb example, using a 1956 Jaguar as its base, was built by renowned marque specialist Lynx Engineering. Finished in dark metallic green with olive green leather interior, it is fitted with a recently rebuilt, race prepared engine breathing through the correct triple Weber 45 DCOE carburettors. Presented in good condition, this highly evocative and very rapid Jaguar, a superbly executed recreation by the best such specialist in the business, represents a rare opportunity for the Jaguar connoisseur. Highly recommended.