A brief history of the Jaguar XKSS:
1957: Only 16 models of the “world’s first supercar” are made before a fire halts production.
1958: Steve McQueen buys one for $5,000 and gets enough tickets for his license to be suspended, twice.
1959-2015: Some non-Jaguar-XKSS-related stuff happens. Weather mostly. Nothing important.
March 2016: Jaguar announces it’s building nine continuation models to replace those lost in the fire nearly 60 years ago.
Steve McQueen’s XKSS / Photo by Scott Williamson, courtesy Petersen Automotive Museum
The new models will be built to the exact specifications as the 16 that survived the Browns Lane fire, meaning each of the D-type-based racers will possess a 250 HP, 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine with the ability to deliver 0-60 in five seconds and a top speed of 149 MPH.
The continuation models will sell for around $1.5 million and deliveries of the nine XK Super Sports will begin in early 2017, after each one is built by hand at Jaguar’s new “Experimental Shop.”
“The XKSS occupies a unique place in Jaguar’s history and is a car coveted by collectors the world over for its exclusivity and unmistakable design,” says Jaguar Land Rover Classic director Tim Hannig.
Not a bad investment either.
Side note: McQueen’s “Green Rat” is worth an estimated $30 million and is on display at L.A.’s Petersen Museum.
Main image via Jaguar Land Rover
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