Jaguar XK-SS
Overview
| Produced: |
1957-1957, 16 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Sports,2 doors,2 seats |
By 1957 Jaguar had constructed 68 D-Type racing cars as part of its international sportscar racing programme, following withdrawal from racing, 25 completed D-Types were left unsold. To make use of these unwanted cars Jaguar decided to convert them into road-going sportscars with some clever modifications.
The open, single seater bodies had the passenger compartment "uncovered", the rear fin was removed, bumpers added along with door side-screens and a rudimentary hood. These stunning cars were blessed with incredible performance and attracted 16 private buyers, including film star and motor racing fan Steve McQueen.
These fascinating cars are now priceless collectors items and are seldom available for sale.
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3442cc | S6 DOHC | Jaguar XK | 83mm x 106mm |
Drivetrain and Suspension
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149 mph | 7.3 s | 250 bhp 5750 |
Brakes
| Front | Rear | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Disc | Disc |
Auction Sales History
| Lot Num |
Description | Auctioneer | Date | Hammer Price | Hammer Price (inc premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 047 | Jaguar XKSS Replica (1969) | H&H Sales Limited | 28 Jul 1999 | £13750.00 | - |
| 793 | Jaguar Shortnose Sports (1957) | Brooks | 4 Dec 1997 | Not sold | |
Books
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Buy this book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1855200635 | Jaguar & SS Gold Portfolio 1931-51 | Brooklands Books |
|
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Back from the dead |
54 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars November 2010 | |||
| Back from the dead - This amazing Jaguar XKSS spent 30 years in hiding, believed lost forever, before emerging as the most original survivor of the 16. | ||||
| Article |
The Racing Car you could go to the Shops in - Jaguar XKSS |
54 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars April 2004 | |||
| The Racing Car you could go to the Shops in - Jaguar XKSS - There was a time when Jaguar, fresh from a hat-trick of Le Mans victories, couldn't sell its D-type racing cars. No one wanted them. This was the solution: the incredible, road-ready D-type, the XKSS. Read its unlikely story. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars September 2001 pg 76 |
76 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars September 2001 | |||
| Vicarage Jaguar XK120. How Jaguar's most stylish roadster has been made as good to drive as it looks. | ||||
| Article |
Classic Cars January 2000 pg 86 |
86 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars January 2000 | |||
| Jaguar XK 120. 184 miles per hour. Jaguar's old speed record attempts in XK 120s are legendary. So much so that specialist Guy Broad decided to recreate the experience - but at even higher speeds. | ||||
| Article |
155 mph - Mercedes-Benz 300SL vs Jaguar XKSS vs Ferrari 250TR. |
80 |
|
|
| Publication | Octane September 2010 | |||
| 155 mph - Mercedes-Benz 300SL vs Jaguar XKSS vs Ferrari 250TR - They were among the fastest cars you could buy in the 1950s, suitable for competition or fast road use. But which of these 155mph supercars offers the greatest all-round driving satisfaction half a century later? | ||||
| Article |
Forlorn three and a half |
34 |
|
|
| Publication | Jaguar Enthusiast December 2007 | |||
| Forlorn three and a half - Nigel Thorley takes a look at a pre-war SS Jaguar which David Davenport has saved. | ||||
| Article |
XK Excess - Jaguar XKSS |
50 |
|
|
| Publication | Octane September 2004 | |||
| XK Excess - Jaguar XKSS - Take a Le Mans winner and offer it in a roadgoing version. Impossible? Not so. Jaguar did it with the XKSS in 1957. | ||||
| Article |
Cats' whispers |
88 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car May 2003 | |||
| Cats' whispers - Alastair Clements compares the sonic delights of Jaguar's V12 in the XJ-S and S3 E-Type. | ||||
| Article |
Jaguar Enthusiast March 2003 pg 14 |
14 |
|
|
| Publication | Jaguar Enthusiast March 2003 | |||
| XK Extraordinaire! Story by Keith Vincent. | ||||
| Article |
Jaguar Enthusiast February 2003 pg 46 |
46 |
|
|
| Publication | Jaguar Enthusiast February 2003 | |||
| Jaguar's New Flagship X-350. Out went the old XJ8 in 2002 and in, for 2003 comes the new XJ8 and XJ6. Now we can reveal all the details of these fine new Jaguars. | ||||
| Article |
Classics February 2002 pg 86 |
86 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics February 2002 | |||
| Jaguar XJ-S V12. With a smooth, powerful and complex V12 motor under the bonnet, is the XJ-S a difficult car to look after? Kim Henson advises. | ||||
| Article |
Classic & Sports Car January 2002 pg 82 |
82 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car January 2002 | |||
| Jaguar Saloons - Luxury and power: playing the regeneration game from MK2 to XJ6. | ||||
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