MOTOR CARS | 161
4One of the rarest Jaguars of all, the XKSS was a spin-off from the
D-Type racing programme. To satisfy sportscar regulations the
D-Type had been built in numbers greatly exceeding the demand
for such a specialised piece of racing equipment, and conversion
to road trim was viewed as the best way of clearing unsold stocks,
hence the XKSS. Modifications to make the D-Type acceptable
for road use included installing a seat and door on the passenger
side, fitting a full-width windscreen, and heat-shielding the side-exit
exhaust system.
A mohair hood and detachable side screens provided weather
protection, and, as twin fuel tanks and the spare wheel occupied
the boot space, a luggage rack was provided on the tail. The
3.4-litre XK engine remained pretty much to racing specification,
producing around 250bhp, which, in a car weighing just 18cwt,
made for electrifying performance. The loss of a number of
bodyshells in the fire at the Brown’s Lane works in February 1957
severely curtailed the XKSS programme, with the result that only 16
had been made when production ceased in November of that year.
Like many other legendary sports cars, the Jaguar XKSS inspired
a number of imitations. An acknowledged master in this highly
specialised field is the Sussex-based firm of Lynx Engineering,
which enjoys an international reputation for accuracy and quality
second to none.
The car we offer is one of an exclusive series of only nine such
replicas made by them. Commissioned by Jaguar connoisseur and
collector Dick Skipworth in 1988 and built to a high specification,
its history is known from new. The following four owners in order, all
in the USA, were Gary Bartlett, actor Nicholas Cage, Herb Wetson
and Thomas Knudsen, who purchased the car in 2008. The current
(sixth) owner purchased the XKSS in 2011.Of riveted aluminium sheet, the coachwork conforms to the original
method of construction. Unlike the original, the Lynx XKSS is
powered by a larger, up-rated, 3.8-litre, dry-sump XK six fitted
with triple Weber 45DCOE carburettors. Other noteworthy features
include 16” wheels, a nicely patinated leather interior, and a correct
original D-Type tachometer.‘XNF 435’ was subject to substantial service work carried out
by CKL Developments on its return to the UK in 2011/2012, and
in 2013 was treated to a bare metal repaint to show standard by
Thornley Kelham. Described as in generally very good condition,
with excellent bodywork and paint, the car is both fast and reliable
as evidenced by a faultless drive from London to Zurich in 2013.
Offering breathtaking performance with classic Jaguar style, this
superb XKSS re-creation comes with current MoT/tax and V5C
registration document.
£225,000 - 275,000
€280,000 - 350,000