Jaguar XKSS

Overview

The highly desirable XKSS was a road legal version of Jaguar's Le Mans winning D-Type race car, born after their withdrawal for sports car racing in 1956.Thanks to a magnesium alloy body, the XKSS weighed in at under 2000 lbs. This means that the 250bhp straight 6 gave amazing performance (for the time) with 0-60mph in around 5 seconds and a 150mph max. Almost 60 years after the original run of 16 XKSS, Jaguar made the decision in 2016 to finish off the originally planned production of 25 cars by hand building a further 9 'new original' editions. Each is estimated to take 10,000 man hours to complete.

The Story

Jaguar, after achieving unparalleled success with the XK120, C-type, and D-type models, declared in October 1956 that it would officially cease all motor racing activities. Following its triumphs in the Le Mans 24 Hours and numerous other prestigious competitions, the Coventry-based company had proven its mettle. With Jaguar's technical and research teams engrossed in developing standard road cars, company leader William Lyons concluded that the resource-intensive racing program was unsustainable. Although Jaguar scaled back its competition department to focus on customer cars and parts, there would be no factory-supported Jaguars in upcoming races or rallies.

At this juncture, Jaguar had several D-types in partial assembly, which were still in demand, particularly after notable victories like the Le Mans and Reims 12 Hours in 1956. To utilize the remaining chassis, Jaguar planned a limited series of 25 road-legal D-types named XK SS, intending to dismantle any leftovers for parts.

The XK SS, inspired by a D-type modified by former Jaguar driver Duncan Hamilton, was equipped for road use, featuring enhancements such as a full-width windscreen and improved weather protection, distinguishing it from Hamilton's rudimentary adaptations.

Announced in early January 1957, with official images following shortly, the XK SS included updates like doors for both driver and passenger and a refined cockpit, with racing homologation already secured for enthusiasts.

Primarily targeting the North American market, the XK SS was set to be one of the fastest and most exclusive cars available. However, a tragic fire at Jaguar’s Browns Lane facility dramatically reduced the planned production.

A significant fire on February 12 devastated Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, destroying over 300 cars, including five D-types slated for XK SS conversion. Despite this, Jaguar's strategic response to the fire allowed production to resume swiftly, maintaining high output levels in 1957. The XK SS production was halted, with only 16 units completed before the incident.

The XK SS featured a D-type central monocoque chassis made from 18-gauge magnesium alloy, with a lightweight aluminum subframe. The chassis design omitted the D-type's cockpit divider, favoring a more road-friendly layout, and maintained the race-bred suspension and braking systems.

The legendary Jaguar dual overhead cam straight-six, initially designed in 1949, powered the XK SS. This engine, synonymous with the D-type, included a dry-sump lubrication system and was capable of producing 250bhp, despite additional silencing for the exhaust.

Transformations from the D-type to XK SS included road-ready modifications like quarter bumpers, indicators, and a full-height windscreen, alongside practical enhancements such as additional doors and improved weather protection.

Inside, the XK SS sported a revised dashboard layout, concealing the previously exposed components and offering a more refined switchgear arrangement, maintaining the racing spirit with high-quality instrumentation. Jaguar did not officially list options for the XK SS, sticking to a standard specification, although custom requests likely would have been accommodated.

Weighing slightly more than the D-type, the XK SS offered exhilarating performance, claiming the title of one of the fastest street-legal cars of its time.

Initially, 16 XK SS cars were constructed from D-type chassis in early 1957. The Browns Lane fire destroyed potential additional units, leading to a premature end to the production. In 2016, Jaguar announced it would build nine new XK SS cars, completing the original vision for a 25-car series, adhering strictly to the specifications of the 1957 models.