Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar XKSS returns in Los Angeles with continuation model

Just nine examples of the "new original" 1957 sports car will be built

Jaguar has announced detailed plans to build a limited run of "new original" XKSS sports cars, at the 2016 Los Angeles auto show.

Just nine examples of the XKSS continuation model will be produced, each hand-built by Jaguar to the exact specification of the original 1957 cars.

As with Jaguar's previous continuation cars - a run of six lightweight E-types produced in 2014 - the company is keen to stress that the vehicles are not replicas, but genuine models simply built a great deal later than the original cars.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With the XKSS there's added incentive to produce the cars to such exacting specification, as the nine "new original" cars are to be built to replace nine cars lost in a fire at Brown's Lane back in 1957.

The continuation cars will feature original, period chassis numbers from the XKSS production run, and every other component will be as-per the original vehicles too. The bodywork for instance is formed from magnesium alloy, built over a styling buck which itself is based on that used for the first 16 XKSS built in the 1950s.

Modern technology has been used to get a perfectly accurate shape - the Jaguar team digitally scanned the bodies, chassis and components of several 1957 cars. But the build process will be entirely traditional, from hand-wheeling the panels to bronze welding the chassis tubes.

Likewise, entirely new 3.4-litre inline-six engine blocks have been cast in iron, with cast cylinder heads and a trio of Weber DC03 carburettors as per the first cars. Output is quoted at 262bhp. The wheels are magnesium, the tyres Dunlop, and the four-wheel disc brakes also by Dunlop.

Only minor specification changes have been made, and only where absolutely necessary: the fuel cell uses modern materials, for example, both for safety and to handle the different composition of modern fuels.

And the price? More than £1 million apiece. This seems - and is - expensive, though the 10,000 hours of labour going into each car somewhat justifies the sum, as does the fact that 1957 cars will comfortably sell for ten times that figure and more.

Head to our Los Angeles auto show hub page for more on the show's stars.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Your move, Singer: HWA to race the Mercedes 190E Evo restomod at the Nürburgring
HWA Evo front
News

Your move, Singer: HWA to race the Mercedes 190E Evo restomod at the Nürburgring

The makers of the Mercedes CLK GTR and Pagani Huayra R’s screaming V12 are taking their modern take on the iconic Mercedes 190E Evo II racing
19 Jun 2025
Corvette ZR1X is more powerful and faster than the Ferrari F80
Corvette ZR1X – front
News

Corvette ZR1X is more powerful and faster than the Ferrari F80

Corvette’s long-awaited halo model has arrived – ‘ZR1X’ might not be as evocative as ‘Zora’ but it’s every bit as powerful as the rumours suggested
18 Jun 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti is an 868bhp supercar you (probably) can’t buy
Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti is an 868bhp supercar you (probably) can’t buy

The 296 has only just been given the hardcore Speciale treatment, but Ferrari’s already devised a new special edition for its very best customers
17 Jun 2025
Two new Gordon Murray supercars set for summer reveal
GMA T.50
News

Two new Gordon Murray supercars set for summer reveal

Gordon Murray isn't stopping at the T.50 and T.33, with two new ‘Special Vehicle’ commissions set to be unveiled in August at Monterey Car Week
16 Jun 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car
BMW M4 discount
News

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car

The BMW M2 is the M car of choice, at least at full price. When new M4s can be had with a 20 per cent discount, that complicates things
19 Jun 2025
Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6
Caterham Seven 310 Encore
News

Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6

It’s goodbye and goodnight for the Caterham Seven 310, with the 25-strong run of 310 Encores serving as the final farewell
11 Jun 2025
Corvette ZR1X is more powerful and faster than the Ferrari F80
Corvette ZR1X – front
News

Corvette ZR1X is more powerful and faster than the Ferrari F80

Corvette’s long-awaited halo model has arrived – ‘ZR1X’ might not be as evocative as ‘Zora’ but it’s every bit as powerful as the rumours suggested
18 Jun 2025