Modern & classic thoroughbred Jaguars
05/01/2007
It was Fifty years ago - on January 14th 1957 - that our Jaguar XKSS emerged from the Experimental Department at Jaguar`s Browns Lane factory. Having been transformed from racing D-Type Chassis No.: XKD555 into the first road-going XKSS Chassis No.: XKSS701, only a further fifteen cars were to be assembled before the factory fire of 12th. February 1957, destroyed the remaining D-Type bodies and all their tooling.
As the notional forerunner to the immortal E-Type Jaguar of 1961, the XKSS was capable of blistering performance: 0-60 in 5 seconds; 60 mph in First Gear; 160 mph (all depending on gearing).
It was truly the MacLaren F1 of its day.
Exported to USA as the New York demonstrator a few days after it was built, and winning its first motor race in March of that year, XKSS701 remained in the States until 1980 when it was returned to UK for a comprehensive restoration. It then passed into a Japanese collection until its purchase by Racing Green Cars in 2001.
In our ownership this wonderful car is used in the manner of its original concept. With four Mille Miglias and the Goodwood Revival to its credit this old charger reflects the ethos of Racing Green Cars: Quality Jaguars, quality engineering and a completely `hands-on` involvement, both on road and track, in the usage of Classic Jaguars.
Happy 50th Birthday to XKSS 701!