Jaguar XKSS

Built

1957

Versions

1

Body styles

Roadster

Engine

Inline-6 DOHC, 3.4L

Power

250 hp

0 to 60

5.2 s

Top speed

149 mph

Designer

Malcolm Sayer

The Jaguar XKSS was built in 1957.

The XKSS, the most traded version: The XKSS stands as one of motoring's greatest what-ifs and ultimate unicorns. When Jaguar's D-Type production ended after Le Mans success, Malcolm Sayer transformed 25 leftover chassis into road-legal supercars by adding a passenger door, rudimentary windscreen, and minimal bumpers. The 3.4-liter twin-cam six produced 250 horsepower in a chassis weighing barely 2,100 pounds, delivering 5.2-second 0-60 times that embarrassed contemporary Ferraris. Tragically, a 1957 factory fire destroyed nine cars, leaving just 16 originals. Steve McQueen famously owned chassis 713, cementing the car's Hollywood legend. Today, XKSS values reach eight figures, making them among the world's most valuable British cars. Jaguar's recent 'continuation' cars only highlight the originals' astronomical rarity and significance as the ultimate expression of 1950s racing technology.

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