1958 Jaguar XKSS 3.8 Liter | Tribute Build

Some cars arrive with an inherent sense of purpose. The Jaguar XKSS is one of those rare creations whose identity has always been tied to the drama, innovation, and victories of Jaguar’s golden age of racing. Building a tribute to such a machine is not just another project for our team. It is an opportunity to recreate a piece of one of the most remarkable chapters in the brand’s history. Our newly completed 1958 Jaguar XKSS 3.4 liter Roadster Tribute is the second of two XKSS alloy bodies crafted for us by a specialist panel builder known for exceptional aluminum work. While our first example became an in-house demonstration car finished in British Racing Green, this second build allowed us to explore a different visual and mechanical interpretation of the model. Now completed and available, it represents the culmination of months of craftsmanship, engineering work, and careful attention to authenticity. 

For this build, we selected a striking color scheme of Jaguar Dark Blue paired with a Red interior. Beneath the hand-formed alloy body, the car is powered by a Jaguar XK 140 MC 3.4 liter red-head engine equipped with Weber carburetors, a gear reduction starter, an alloy-finned radiator with auxiliary fan, and a spin-on oil filter. The drivetrain includes a Tremec T-5 five-speed transmission, a custom-balanced driveshaft, a rebuilt early 1961 E-Type rear end, and an early Series 1 E-Type front suspension. Adjustable shocks, Wilwood brakes, and original style Dunlop peg-drive alloy wheels complete the foundation.

Inside, the cabin features period-correct Smiths instrumentation, proper British switches, a D-Type three-spoke steering wheel, a battery cut-off switch, and an interior tailored in the correct materials by our master trimmer. The stainless side-exit exhaust and custom Classic Fabs headers give the car a distinctive voice. An aluminum fuel tank with a quick-fill cap provides a final nod to its racing heritage. With the major build work complete, we are now logging test miles and refining the final sorting to ensure that the car performs exactly as it should. This XKSS Tribute reflects the precision and care that guide every one of our restoration and build projects.

To understand the significance of the XKSS, one must return to the mid 1950s when Jaguar dominated international motorsport with the revolutionary D-Type. Designed for endurance racing, the D-Type won Le Mans in 1955, 1956, and 1957, securing its place as one of the most successful competition cars in history. By late 1956, Jaguar withdrew from factory racing, yet a number of completed and partially completed D-Types remained at Browns Lane. Jaguar recognized an opportunity to convert these machines into road-going sports cars for the American market. The result was the XKSS, a street-capable variant of the D-Type that retained its racing structure but received a passenger door, a full-width windscreen, minimal weather equipment, and other refinements required for road use. 

Only 16 XKSS cars were completed before a devastating fire swept through the factory on February 12, 1957. The remaining nine chassis were destroyed, leaving the total number of original examples forever capped at sixteen. Nearly all of these cars went to American buyers who were captivated by the idea of a road-legal Le Mans racer. Among them was actor Steve McQueen. His XKSS became one of the most famous Jaguars ever owned. McQueen was known to drive the car vigorously through the Hollywood Hills, often pushing it to its limits, and he affectionately referred to it as the Green Rat. His example survives today and remains one of the most celebrated XKSS cars in the world. Interest in the model continued for decades, and in 2016 Jaguar announced that it would complete the originally planned run of 25 by building nine continuation XKSS cars to exact period specifications. These vehicles were hand-built and reignited global fascination with the model. 

Our 1958 XKSS Tribute was designed and built with a deep appreciation for that history. While it is not an original or continuation car, the project allows modern enthusiasts to experience the grace, sound, and raw character of the XKSS in a form that honors the original cars. Every detail, from the shape of the bodywork to the instrumentation inside the cockpit, was selected or fabricated to evoke the essence of the late 1950s Jaguar sports racers. 

As test miles continue, this XKSS Tribute is proving to be light, responsive, and engaging, with performance that is true to the spirit of Jaguar’s racing era. Whether displayed, collected, or driven, it represents a rare opportunity to enjoy a recreation of one of Jaguar’s most legendary designs. We are proud to share the story behind our latest completed build and look forward to seeing this tribute carry the legacy of the XKSS into its next chapter!