1956 JAGUAR XK

One of the rarest Jaguars of all, the XKSS was a spin-off from the D-Type racing programme. To satisfy sports car regulations, the D-Type had been built in numbers greatly exceeding the demand for such a specialised piece of racing equipment, and conversion to road trim was viewed as the best way of clearing unsold stocks, hence the XKSS. Modifications to make the D-Type acceptable for road use included installing a seat and door on the passenger side, fitting a full-width windscreen, and heat-shielding the side-exit exhaust system. A mohair hood and detachable side screens provided weather protection, and, as twin fuel tanks and the spare wheel occupied the boot space, a luggage rack was provided on the tail. The 3.4-litre XK engine remained pretty much to racing specification, producing around 250bhp, which, in a car weighing just 18cwt, made for electrifying performance. Sadly, the loss of a number of bodyshells in the fire at Jaguar's Browns Lane works in February 1957 severely curtailed the XKSS programme, with the result that only 16 had been made by the time production ceased in November of that year.

In 2006, legendary collector of British classic cars, Dr James Hull, decided that his collection of important Jaguars needed an XKSS and, as none of the 16 survivors was available, he commissioned respected engineers, D Type Developments Ltd, to re-create one. The build sheet included in the car’s history file from its inception in 2006 shows the extensive quest for authenticity over the three-year build period prior to it joining his Collection in 2009. It now carries the UK registration, DS 11, and the identity from a 1956 Jaguar XK140.

All components used in the build were either newly manufactured to original drawings and specifications, correct period parts sourced as new/old stock, or reconditioned to original specifications. The 3,442cc six-cylinder C8610 block is fitted with the correct C-Type head, gas-flowed with larger valves, D-Type cams, a lightweight flywheel and clutch assembly, and fuelled through triple Weber 45DCO3 carburettors with an airbox on a D-Type manifold. The fully rebuilt and blueprinted engine displayed c.280bhp on the dyno and was then correctly mounted at eight degrees in the tubular-steel chassis frame, built to original dimensions in the monocoque fabricated to the original design with the aluminium front and rear sections formed from accurately copied bucks. The rear section houses, the FIA-specification bag tank and every other body part is to original patterns. All suspension, brakes and transmission are to original design including pattern 'banana' callipers as per original. The electrical harness is cotton braided with switches to original pattern as are the Le Mans headlights and the wheels are 16-inch aluminium Dunlop Peg-Drive perfectly offset in the arches.

The James Hull Collection was purchased by Jaguar Classic in 2015 and when the decision was taken to build the 'Missing Nine' official 'XKSS Continuation' cars, DS 11 was chosen as a template, such was the accuracy of its dimensions when compared to the original factory cars.

Since joining the Anthony Hamilton Collection in 2021, DS 11 has benefitted from having the engine fully rebuilt with 'blueprinted' components and fitted with a lightweight flywheel and clutch assembly, resulting in a very healthy 280bhp at 5,500rpm when subsequently dyno tested. It presents today as a concours example, superbly finished in gleaming black with the essential telltale rivet heads evident and a distinctive interior that's been retrimmed with a nod to a certain F1 Team colours.

Complete with FIA HTP papers valid until 31st December 2034, this fabulous re-creation is eligible for a number of blue riband events and with original cars being offered at £10,000,000 plus and even Continuation cars at circa £1,500,000, this 'genesis template' car represents a great opportunity.