To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Elkhart Collection
event, 23 - 24 October 2020.
Estimate:
$1,500,000 - $2,000,000
- Offered from its original collection
- One of nine examples produced by Jaguar Classic
- Identical in virtually every detail to its original
forefather
- Only 51 actual miles at the time of cataloguing
- Believed to be the first example offered publicly
There are few modern sports cars around which legends gather more
thickly than the Jaguar XKSS. Following the company's withdrawal
from racing after the 1956 season, a number of both completed and
incomplete D-Types remained in factory stock and unsold. The
decision was made to convert these cars to road-going
specification, for sale to the wanting American market. Bodywork
was modified with the removal of the divider between the seats and
the large tail fin, as well as the addition of a passenger door, a
full-width windshield with chromed frame, side screens in both
driver and passenger doors, chromed bumperettes, and a simple
folding top. Otherwise the XKSS was a D-Type, barely, slightly
tamed-a wolf in another wolf's clothing.
It was a rare occasion when a race car with only a few minor
changes was then resold as a road car, and perhaps unsurprisingly,
most of the people who bought an XKSS were sportsmen who wound up
racing them anyway. Dick Thompson, the famed "Flying Dentist,"
comes to mind. Yet not many had the chance to make such a dream
their reality, regardless of their wealth and stature. After only
sixteen D-Types had been completed to XKSS specification, the
remaining nine chassis were destroyed in a fire that swept through
Jaguar's Browns Lane factory. Since the intention had been only to
build the model until the remaining D-Type stock was used up, the
fire meant that the XKSS came to an end.
The survivors of the sixteen 1957 models are today treasured as
some of the world's most valuable and fiercely prized collector
automobiles. The most famous, of course, is that owned and
enthusiastically driven, much to the consternation of studio
executives, by Steve McQueen-a car so famous that it has become a
part of its owner's legend.
Because the XKSS is so fiercely sought after, in March 2016 Jaguar
announced that it would complete the original intended production
run of 25 cars by finally building the nine XKSS lost to the Browns
Lane fire. Each of these cars was produced in the Jaguar Land Rover
Classic facility at, fittingly enough, Browns Lane, which had
earlier turned out a highly regarded run of new E-Type Lightweight
coupes-one of which is also featured in this collection.
Eighteen months of research, including digitally scanning several
original XKSS examples, were used to form an initial prototype from
which the nine production cars were made. Each of these cars were
literally new from the wheels up, but utilized one of the original
nine chassis numbers assigned to the cars that burned in 1957.
Traditional construction methods were utilized, including
hand-wheeling the bodies over a styling buck and bronze-welding the
frames. The aircraft-inspired and Le Mans-tested four-wheel Dunlop
disc brakes, riveted two-piece magnesium alloy wheels, and Dunlop
tires are all period-correct fitments. Each engine was cast to
original specifications, including new blocks and cylinder heads
and three Weber DC03 carburetors. Even the dashboard knobs, Smiths
instruments, and the grain of the leather upholstery are
as-original, reflecting Jaguar's passion and determination to "do
it right, or not at all."
Only minor changes were made throughout, always to improve driver
and passenger safety, including installation of a modern fuel cell.
The seats are also slightly larger and more comfortable than the
1950s units. Needless to say, the original run of nine XKSS
produced in 2017 sold out virtually upon introduction. It speaks to
the quality of these cars that, like the 16 built in 1957, they are
seldom ever offered for sale by their owners. In fact, the offering
of this example is believed to be the first time that one has been
offered at public auction, marking an extremely rare opportunity
and special occasion for a potential buyer.
In the current collection since new, at the time of cataloguing
this car had recorded only 51 actual miles. It is, essentially,
brand-new, with unmarked British Racing Green paint, biscuit
interior, and chrome, and an engine compartment and chassis that
appear virtually factory fresh. The only evident patina is
intentional, such as the "aged" serial-number plate. Even the spare
tire compartment is spotless!
The XKSS is a rarefied strata of collector cars, alongside the
Ferrari 250 GTO and McLaren F1 as the topflight of post-war sports
cars. The opportunity here is to acquire one that is, for all
intents and purposes, a new car, and enjoy breaking it in as one
would have upon collecting a new example from Browns Lane in 1957.
It is suitable for everything from road rallies to track days-or
simply for taking out on Mulholland with the top down, in the best
Steve McQueen spirit and tradition.
The buyer who missed out-in 1957, or in 2017-now has a second, or
third, chance.
Please note that this lot is sold on a bill of sale.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.
