XKSS

[lowdrag]

Over the winter months CKL will be turning this:-



Into this:-



Colour choice made (not black though) and some interesting stories to tell, plus photos will be published as the work continues.

[mph]

Fantastic - look forward to some updates as work progresses.

[Mini1275]

Looking forward to the updates .

The D-Type and XKSS are both absolutely beautiful cars.

If I may ask, what makes you want to change to the XKSS look?

[lowdrag]

I've had the D-type 10 years now and while I love it I can't tour with it - no wipers, hood or luggage space. I've still got the E-type, but an XKSS has always been an itch that one day I had to scratch. Now I have a car that will hold its own on track days and also with which I can tour. No more hail in the face either! I think that this will be about the first time since the 1950's that such a conversion has taken place, so it'll be interesting.

[PaulHogan]

I presume that's a kit car and not a Jaguar that you're going to chop?

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

I think that this will be about the first time since the 1950's that such a conversion has taken place, so it'll be interesting.

Aren't there some XKSS' which have see sawed back and forth between the D and SS persona's?

CKL did the XKD555/XKSS701 D+XKSS to 1 x XKSS and some interesting spares last winter didn't they?

Good luck with the project, I know you're in the best of hands. I look forward to seeing the results one day.
XKSS' are just drop dead gorgeous.

[2slo]

lowdrag said:

I've had the D-type 10 years now and while I love it I can't tour with it - no wipers, hood or luggage space.

No wipers = RainX
No hood = drive faster and most of the rain goes over the top
No luggage space = leave SWMBO at home and you've all the space you need

Any questions?

[jagracer]

PaulHogan said:

I presume that's a kit car and not a Jaguar that you're going to chop?

Not really a kit car, Airfix make kits, although it isn't a real one either.

[PaulHogan]

jagracer said:

PaulHogan said:

I presume that's a kit car and not a Jaguar that you're going to chop?

Not really a kit car, Airfix make kits, although it isn't a real one either.

Ah, a fake. Relief.

[jagracer]

PaulHogan said:

Ah, a fake. Relief.

A very expensive fake though.

[jamesatcandsc]

Jumbo Goddard would be proud of you Tony!

[a8hex]

jagracer said:

PaulHogan said:

Ah, a fake. Relief.

A very expensive fake though.

Of course don't forget that Jaguar chopped real Ds to make the XKSS.
So Tony is in good company.

[Le Mans Visitor]

Really looking forward to this Tony.

Subscribed to thread.

[mph]

PaulHogan said:

Ah, a fake. Relief.

Happy now ?

[Roy C]

lowdrag said:

I've had the D-type 10 years now and while I love it I can't tour with it - no wipers, hood or luggage space.

2slo said:

No wipers = RainX

=

2slo said:

No hood = drive faster and most of the rain goes over the top

= drive faster and it hits your face harder

2slo said:

No luggage space = leave SWMBO at home and you've all the space you need

= Billy-no-mates

I can understand the attraction of the XKSS and the need to tour without having to wear a crash helmet!

Interesting conversion and not without Jaguar precedent.

[lowdrag]

For Mr. Hogan's benefit it might help to know that CKL have perfected the art of welding fibreglass, otherwise the conversion would not have been possible. They will laser-cut the fin and head-rest, then weld in extra fibre where necessary. In fact contrary to common belief there is a substantial amount of work involved in the conversion: central cockpit bar to remove, spot to take out and weld in new fibreglass, dashboard is different, tunnel is different, indicators will be needed, windscreen and surround to be made and fitted, rear and front vestigial bumpers, and so on, plus of course detail work like the grease gun fitment, wipers and motor, and quite a few other things I've forgotten for the moment.

Edit: last time I looked RainX worked on glass but not plastic?

[2slo]

Roy C said:

lowdrag said:

I've had the D-type 10 years now and while I love it I can't tour with it - no wipers, hood or luggage space.

2slo said:

No wipers = RainX

=

2slo said:

No hood = drive faster and most of the rain goes over the top

= drive faster and it hits your face harder

2slo said:

No luggage space = leave SWMBO at home and you've all the space you need

= Billy-no-mates

I can understand the attraction of the XKSS and the need to tour without having to wear a crash helmet!

Interesting conversion and not without Jaguar precedent.

While you're on, define sycophant. Then get the tee shirt.

[ewenm]

2slo said:

No wipers = RainX
No hood = drive faster and most of the rain goes over the top
No luggage space = leave SWMBO at home and you've all the space you need

Any questions?

Yes, it can be done but it's not much fun on multiple long days. It's the same reason I put the windscreen on the Caterham for touring and leave the aeroscreen for blatting/track. I could tour with the aeroscreen, but I really don't fancy it - the trade off between looking "hardcore" and actually enjoying it. 745 miles in one day back from Chamonix to Bath last year would have been dreadful without the windscreen.

Fortunately my conversion aeroscreen<=>windscreen is somewhat cheaper than this one Hope it all goes well.

[Chunkychucky]

2slo said:

No wipers = RainX
No hood = drive faster and most of the rain goes over the top
No luggage space = leave SWMBO at home and you've all the space you need

Any questions?

Look forward to seeing how it turns out Tony!

[2slo]

ewenm said:

Yes, it can be done but it's not much fun on multiple long days. It's the same reason I put the windscreen on the Caterham for touring and leave the aeroscreen for blatting/track. I could tour with the aeroscreen, but I really don't fancy it - the trade off between looking "hardcore" and actually enjoying it. 745 miles in one day back from Chamonix to Bath last year would have been dreadful without the windscreen.

Fortunately my conversion aeroscreen<=>windscreen is somewhat cheaper than this one Hope it all goes well.

I agree, I've always specced my sportscars with full screens rather than the aeroscreen option for the reasons you outline. The point I was trying to make was that, IMHO, it's a shame to butcher a D type (I know it's a replica) just to make an XKSS replica. The owners choice of course. I'd have thought it obvious to most people that my comments about being unable to tour with a D type were tongue in cheek. Oh well,never mind.
BTW, RainX can be succesfully used on some plastics, advisable to test it on a small area first.