The original XKSS was built in 1957 as a road-going adaptation of Jaguar’s Le Mans-winning D-Type race car, and only 16 of a planned 25 examples were completed due to a fire at the company’s Browns Lane factory. This re-creation features a riveted aluminum monocoque tub and a square-tube steel front frame, which wear aluminum panels that were reportedly formed over wooden bucks patterned from a factory D-Type. The rear body section can be removed to access underlying components.
…The original XKSS was built in 1957 as a road-going adaptation of Jaguar’s Le Mans-winning D-Type race car, and only 16 of a planned 25 examples were completed due to a fire at the company’s Browns Lane factory. This re-creation features a riveted aluminum monocoque tub and a square-tube steel front frame, which wear aluminum panels that were reportedly formed over wooden bucks patterned from a factory D-Type. The rear body section can be removed to access underlying components.
The body is finished in two-stage black and features a full-width wraparound windshield with Pilkington glass surrounded by a bright frame and flanked by fixed plexiglass side windows. Additional details include a black mohair soft top with an ash bow frame, riveted bonnet louvers, leather hold-down straps, a luggage rack, a Monza-style fuel filler, Lucas PL700 tri-bar headlights and corner markers behind faired covers, and modified XK120 taillights.
Painted Dunlop-style three-piece aluminum wheels measure 16×5.5” up front and 16×6” at the rear, and are secured on peg-drive hubs with chromed brass knock-off spinners. The wheels wear 600- and 650-width Dunlop Racing tires, and a matching 5″ wide spare is housed in the rear compartment. The dual-circuit braking system comprises twin Wilwood master cylinders, a proportioning valve, custom lines, stainless steel flexible hoses, six-piston Fosseway front calipers, slotted and ventilated front discs, and inboard rear discs with parking calipers.
The right-hand-drive cockpit features red Connolly leather upholstery on the seats as well as the body-colored inner doors and dash. Color-keyed Hardura lines the center tunnel, sills, and rear deck, while removable black Wilton carpets cover the floors. The soft top is stowed under a black canvas boot with red piping. Latch-and-link lap belts are provided for both occupants, and a fire extinguisher is situated in the passenger-side footwell.
A wood-rimmed 15” Moto-Lita steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a 180-mph speedometer, a tachometer with an adjustable redline needle, a combination gauge monitoring coolant temperature and oil pressure, a fuel gauge, and a five-digit odometer showing 2,500 miles. A master ignition switch is concealed within the glovebox along with a power receptacle, while fuel cut-off and overdrive switches are located under the dash.
The 4.2-liter inline-six is said to have been rebuilt by Classic and Modern Engine Services in the UK with Mahle competition pistons, wide-blade connecting rods, a lightened and balanced crankshaft, and a high-capacity oil pump. The gas-flowed cylinder head reportedly features enlarged intake and exhaust ports as well as dual semi-competition camshafts from Rob Beere Racing. A port-matched intake manifold carries triple Weber 45 DCOE carburetors with a triple-arm linkage, and fuel is supplied via a Facet pump with a regulator and inline filter. Cooling is handled by a ProAlloy aluminum radiator, a factory-style header tank, an automatic electric fan, and a high-volume water pump. Additional ancillaries include:
The stainless steel exhaust system incorporates two custom three-into-one headers, a large-bore silencer, and twin side pipes under a perforated heat shield. The Moss four-speed manual gearbox is said to have been rebuilt and is paired with a quick-engage electric overdrive unit. A hydraulic clutch with a remote bleeder was also added, as was a Denis Welch Motorsport performance release bearing. A narrowed 3.31:1 Jaguar Salisbury Powr-Lok rear end transmits power to the rear wheels. The four-wheel independent suspension features Jaguar A-arms, modified Jaguar rear components, ProTech adjustable coilovers, and polyurethane bushings.