RAM XKSS for sale

[lowdrag]

A few people have contacted me over the years for advice on replicas, and judging from the details this seems rather good value. Indeed, I'd go as far as to say rather underpriced:-

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/classifieds/cla...

[skeggysteve]

If it's as good as it looks and described, and I've no reason to doubt it, they I'd agree that does seem under priced.
My only worry is the 'socks' on the carbs - I've seen how even well set up DCOEs can backfire!

[Steffan]

Quick check confirms the Ram registration. It is indeed a real bargain and someone should snap it up. Subject to the usual enquiries an excellent buy. I do agree the carb socks are OTT. Uncovered backfires are not fun.

[lowdrag]

On the subject of socks, I took the mesh filters off my XKSS and put foam ones on. The bloody carbs spat back, melted the foam and swallowed them - well, two at least. The mesh filters are back on now.



ETA: yes, before you ask, the left one is there, but has inverted and now is bowed inwards!

Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 23 January 19:16

[Flatinfourth]

Having worked on XKSS701, i would say that a decent replica that is available at that price is a bit of a bargain. I'm guessing there is an IRS under there that really shouln't be, but that would make the car easier to live with on the road, but a Moss box with a nice long diff ratio would make it feel more 'right'
Nice thing!!!

[RichB]

So would that be plastic or aluminium?

[lowdrag]

It's a fibreglass car, but Realm aren't I believe making them any more now so that increases the desirability in my book. I know they have stopped doing D-type replicas (and frankly I don't think anyone is now making D-type replicas at all) so probably these models too are discontinued. They are based around XJ parts and I have seen them around at £45,000 in the last year or two so given the long term ownership she is very good value. The addition of a 5-speed box makes it very usable for touring. As I have found out to my cost though, you have to be small, nimble and flexible if you want to get in with the hood up!

[jagracer]

lowdrag said:

It's a fibreglass car, but Realm aren't I believe making them any more now so that increases the desirability in my book. I know they have stopped doing D-type replicas (and frankly I don't think anyone is now making D-type replicas at all) so probably these models too are discontinued. They are based around XJ parts and I have seen them around at £45,000 in the last year or two so given the long term ownership she is very good value. The addition of a 5-speed box makes it very usable for touring. As I have found out to my cost though, you have to be small, nimble and flexible if you want to get in with the hood up!

They are still being made as are the Dtypes, not sure if Adrian is doing them though. There's a new-ish green Dtype further down that page for £80K which was on show at race retro last year and a black one for £49K, I know the full history of the latter and I'm a bit dubious about the price of it although It's worth what someone wants to pay for it.
For those that don't know these are a fibre glass body with space framed chassis with IRS at the rear, mine is S type and I have a 5 speed Getrag for racing although I preferred the 4 speed Jag box but It's heavy and the overdrive is fragile for racing.

[RichB]

lowdrag said:

It's a fibreglass car...

Somewhat similar to my Griff 500 then.

[jagracer]

RichB said:

lowdrag said:

It's a fibreglass car...

Somewhat similar to my Griff 500 then.

Extremely similar tbh, so no need for the smiley.

[mph]

Called the chap with the XKSS, he's got a couple of viewings this weekend so I would imagine it will sell if it's anything like the description.

Meanwhile I've been offered a Heritage C type, allegedly in very good condition and well set-up and maintained. It's not a recent build and the owner has had it for several years.

Anyone know much about them ? Are they any good ?

[RichB]

jagracer said:

RichB said:

lowdrag said:

It's a fibreglass car...

Somewhat similar to my Griff 500 then.

Extremely similar tbh, so no need for the smiley.

Smiley because I like them both and I imagine the Ram also puts a smile on the owner's face.

[Flatinfourth]

mph said:

Called the chap with the XKSS, he's got a couple of viewings this weekend so I would imagine it will sell if it's anything like the description.

Meanwhile I've been offered a Heritage C type, allegedly in very good condition and well set-up and maintained. It's not a recent build and the owner has had it for several years.

Anyone know much about them ? Are they any good ?

Heritage C Type is a nice car, and with a space frame, live axle and Moss box fitted,technically more accurate than most D type/XKSS replicas (which are supposed to be aluminium monocoque based).

Fantastic to drive too. Hardcore open air motoring though, dress code is Tiger Moth!

[mph]

XKSS is definitely sold - to the first viewer.

Going to look at the C type replica next week.

[Elderly]

There's a Proteus C coming up in auction:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1968-jaguar-c-t...

[Steffan]

Elderly said:

There's a Proteus C coming up in auction:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1968-jaguar-c-t...

Interesting car. If it is in good order properly registered and genuine and I have no reason to doubt that from the ad it will fetch serious money. With an aluminium body decent genuine Jaguar mechanicals and decent provenance I would anticipate something into six figures. There are so few original C Type racers about this will fly away. One of the few reproduction cars that really can command serious money.

[a8hex]

Elderly said:

There's a Proteus C coming up in auction:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1968-jaguar-c-t...

Hmmmm

Silverstone auctions said:

Only 52 original C-Type Jaguars were ever manufactured between 1951-1953. Their legendary reputation was cemented by three Le Mans victories in 1951, 1953 and 1955.

Why should be trust anything else they might have to say?

Was there even a C-Type entered into the 55 race?

[Steffan]

a8hex said:

Elderly said:

There's a Proteus C coming up in auction:
http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1968-jaguar-c-t...

Hmmmm

Silverstone auctions said:

Only 52 original C-Type Jaguars were ever manufactured between 1951-1953. Their legendary reputation was cemented by three Le Mans victories in 1951, 1953 and 1955.

Why should be trust anything else they might have to say?

Was there even a C-Type entered into the 55 race?

Not from Jaguar cars officially I think all D types. However there may have been a private entry.

[a8hex]

Steffan said:

Not from Jaguar cars officially I think all D types. However there may have been a private entry.

I'm in the middle of moving my office at home and so I don't have the right books to hand, but checking online I can only see D-Types and a Jaguar engined Cooper. Mike Hawthorn & Ivor Bueb won, if there can be said to be a winner in the 55 race, in a D-Type, the Ecurie Francorchamps D-Type of Johnny Claes & Jacques Swaters came third. The Ecurie Francorchamps C-Type had come fourth in the 1954 event. No C-Types in 1956 either, although there was an incredible attempt in an XK140 which was mistakenly disqualified.

[Steffan]

a8hex said:

Steffan said:

Not from Jaguar cars officially I think all D types. However there may have been a private entry.

I'm in the middle of moving my office at home and so I don't have the right books to hand, but checking online I can only see D-Types and a Jaguar engined Cooper. Mike Hawthorn & Ivor Bueb won, if there can be said to be a winner in the 55 race, in a D-Type, the Ecurie Francorchamps D-Type of Johnny Claes & Jacques Swaters came third. The Ecurie Francorchamps C-Type had come fourth in the 1954 event. No C-Types in 1956 either, although there was an incredible attempt in an XK140 which was mistakenly disqualified.

Without a full list of all the cars entered in the 1955 event it is difficult to be certain. However I was old enough to be watching the reports on the race at the time and I do have dim (very) recollections. I was a serious petrolhead by 1954 and remain so today. Naturally I was very aware of the appalling crash which was unprecedented in its ferocity and consequences. There were such crashes then but spectator safety rightly became much more a matter of concern and by the early 1960's road racing was on the wane. Only in France could the authorities have got away with that. Everywhere else in Europe would have been pursuing those responsible immediately. The French just ignored it. Dreadful business and carnage in reality. Over 1oo dead from memory Mike Hawthorn only escaped by a whisker. Appalling tragedy and should never have happened.

Back to the topic I do think cars such as this have a real cachet value and will make real money. Value is in the style and provenance an original would be telephone numbers if you could actually find one.