The "street version" of the
Jaguar D-Type racer.
The
Jaguar XX-SS was created to be the road-going version of the famous
Jaguar D-Type race car that had won the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in France for three years running: in 1955, 1956 and 1957! C-Type Jags had won Le Mans in 1951 and 1953, and the reputation of Sir William Lyons’ racers were very well established.
The 1950s were glorious years for Lyons as
Jaguar had distinguished itself as one of the world’s premier automobile manufacturers. By the mid-1950s car buyers everywhere - especially Americans - were beginning to appreciate and buy Jaguars.
Jaguar had built 68 D-Type racing cars and following the company’s withdrawal from international racing 25 completed D-Types remained unsold. With a strong reputation for reliability and some clever modifications,
Jaguar converted them into the “XK-SS.”
This car Is XK-SS 719. ..the 7 car built... and began as a production D-Type #XKD 572; It was delivered to
Jaguar Midwest Distributors Inc., Indianapolis, during July 1957. Only 16 XK-SS roadsters were completed before the devastating fire at the Browns Lane factory.
Engine
6-cylinder, in-line dohc
3.43” bore, 4.17” stroke
3.4-liter (230.6 cubIc Inch)
250 bhp. @ 6000 rpm.
Price when new: $5,600.00
Body/Coachbuilder
Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Coventry, England
Manufacturer
Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Coventry, England
March 15, 2010, 12:51 pm
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