Jaguar has lovingly remade the XKSS, aka the world’s first supercar – a snip, at £1m
If you're a sucker for classic cars, look away now. For while Jaguar has lovingly remade one of its most iconic motors, there are only going to be nine of them, and they've already been sold – for more than £1m each.
Jaguar debuted the first "genuine" Jaguar XKSS in almost 60 years at a Los Angeles museum (because LA Auto show) yesterday (in Sherwood Green, naturally), and said it will build nine cars to exact 1957 specifications for delivery next year.
The XKSS, a road-legal version of its Le Mans-winning D-type, was often referred to as the world's first supercar – although after a fire at its factory, just 16 examples were ever built.
This is a bit of a change from Jaguar Land Rover's other big announcement at the LA Motor Show – its first-ever electric car.
This isn't the first time Jaguar has reproduced one of its classic designs – in 2014 it built six E-Types. The recreations combine classic engineering with modern technology – so while the XKSS' body is made of the original magnesium alloy, its fuel cell uses "robust, modern materials" to support modern fuels (and, presumably, ensure drivers don't end up in giant balls of flame – a fairly common occurence in the 1950s).
Jaguar assured buyers that "minor specification changes have been made only to improve driver and passenger safety".
“The XKSS is one of the most important cars in Jaguar’s history, and we are committed to making the ‘new original’ version absolutely faithful to the period car in every way," said Kev Riches, manager of Jaguar's classic engineering arm.
“From the number, type and position of all the rivets used – there are more than 2,000 in total – to the Smiths gauges on the dashboard, everything is the same as the original cars, because that is the way it should be.”