1957 Jaguar XKSS

Roadster6-cyl. 3442cc/262hp 3x1bbl

North America

$11,900,000

Drivers Club

High bid March 10, 2017

Hagerty expert commentary

Our staff has reviewed this vehicle. Here are our notes.

Equipment

RHD. Dunlop centerlock alloy wheels, chrome shielded side exhaust, luggage rack, bonnet straps, woodrim steering wheel.

Condition

Restored like new in the deepest shade of BRG. Raced successfully when new by the first owner, Stanley C. McRobert, in Canada and later by Ray Carter. Winner of the CRDA 500 at Harewood Acres. Later converted to D-type configuration by John Pearson in the U.K., retaining the original XKSS components which were later employed in a restoration by Gary Pearson (John’s son.) Cataloged with engine E2080-9, the original engine, but as announced on site the block had been replaced years ago with a 3.8 for better performance. In a hasty compromise the consignor arranged with Jaguar for a new correct 3.4 liter block factory stamped with the original engine number to be supplied with the car at no additional cost.

Market

Offered by RM at Monterey in 1998 and bid to $875,000 but unsold. The cataloging error here was fatal to the result; bidders expecting a pure, if converted and re-converted, XKSS can’t be expected to adjust on site to the revelation of an engine change, nor to be satisfied with the promise of a new 3.4 liter block re-stamped with the original block number. The reserve must have been adjusted consistent with the facts making the cataloged estimate irrelevant and judging from Charlie Ross’s efforts on the block to extract a final increment from the reported high bid it must have been extremely close to the reported final bid. It is hard to see why the consignor and the auction company couldn’t find common ground and shift this lot, which now has been seriously compromised.

Hagerty Condition Rating#2 ExcellentCould win a regional car show. Drives like new.

About Hagerty’s condition ratings