The Jaguar XKSS: motorsport legacy reborn in hand built brilliance
A meticulously crafted recreation of one of motorsport's most storied machines, this bespoke Jaguar marries the racing pedigree of Le Mans with the refined elegance of the open road.
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The marriage of racing heritage and automotive craftsmanship reaches its apotheosis in this singular machine: a Jaguar XKSS recreation that captures the essence of the marque’s most celebrated era. Built between 2015 and 2017 by Jim Tester, a specialist in Jaguar race car engineering, this meticulous reimagining draws its inspiration from the road going evolution of the legendary D Type, whose three consecutive victories at Le Mans remain etched into the very fabric of motorsport history.
What emerges from Tester’s hands is not mere replication, but a considered reinterpretation grounded in automotive authenticity. The foundation rests upon an E Type Series 1 chassis, a lineage itself steeped in racing pedigree. Above this sits hand formed aluminium bodywork, each curve and contour shaped with the precision and intuition that only true craftsmanship can achieve. The muscularity of its proportions speaks to its competitive origins, whilst its proportions suggest the pure joy of open air motoring.
Power derives from a 3.4-litre XK straight six engine, equipped with triple Weber carburettors, delivering the characterful performance that defined this generation of Jaguar excellence. The mechanical symphony of this engine represents a philosophy now largely consigned to history: the belief that driving should engage all the senses, that acceleration should be felt and heard as much as experienced.
The aesthetic language speaks in the vocabulary of refinement. A striking black finish provides a dramatic canvas against which the rich red leather of the interior glows with warmth and invitation. Every material, every surface tells the story of deliberate choice and careful execution.
A machine preserved
Upon completion, the XKSS was dry stored with the utmost care, its condition protected and maintained as a precious object should be. In 2024, Classic Performance Engineering undertook a comprehensive recommissioning, ensuring that mechanical readiness matches the evident care taken during its construction. This is a machine that has been cherished, understood and preserved as befits its singular status.
The convergence of racing lineage, hand crafted construction and racing authenticity creates something genuinely rare: a contemporary creation that honours the past without attempting merely to replicate it. This is a Jaguar for those who understand that true luxury lies not in novelty, but in the pursuit of perfection in execution and the celebration of automotive values now increasingly difficult to find.
Imagery courtesy of RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys).
