2023-08-06 10:18:08
Zach Brehl ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
AUCTION – Exceptional event: RM Sotheby’s sells, on the sidelines of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance in California, one of the sixteen roadsters derived from the Type D of Le Mans
XKSS: four letters that entered history almost by default and became, over the decades, the queen of Jaguar. In this year 1956, despite its commercial successes and its two consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its drift barquette, Jaguar gave up pursuing its commitment to competition and following the arms race stimulated by Ferrari et Maserati. Issue? End up with twenty-five Type D chassis on your arms. This is how Sir William Lyons, the boss of the English brand, decided to modify these cars and market them for road use.
Zach Brehl ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Under the designation XKSS, the engineers gave birth to a model which differed from the racing car by the absence of rear drift and the adoption of comfort and safety equipment, including a large windscreen, a rudimentary soft top in fabric, chrome banana-type bumpers at the front and rear, XK140 taillights and a luggage rack on the trunk. Wanted to be more functional, the roadster has a small door on the passenger side. The six-cylinder XK comes from the D. Most of the first chassis goes to California.
Estimate: between 12 and 14 million dollars
Having become the owner of one of them, Steve McQueen will do a lot for fame. Production will not exceed 16 units. During assembly, the remaining nine were destroyed in the fire that ravaged the Browns Lane factory in Coventry on February 12, 1957.
Zach Brehl ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The RM Sotheby’s sale in California (from August 15 to 17) therefore represents a rare opportunity to acquire this jewel of the English brand. Born XKD564 and renamed XKSS 707, this copy has a clear history. After spending the first part of its life in California, “JAG 1” returned to its native lands, passing to collectors Anthony Bamford and Campbell McLaren. It is estimated between 12 and 14 million dollars.
Zach Brehl ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
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#Jaguar #XKSS #escape #circuits
