Stunning looks, capable performance and, today, an undisputed fixture in the automotive lexicon of excellence, the Jaguar D-Type has become one of the most desirable sports cars of the modern era. Even if you separated the stunning good looks, amazing engineering and racing prowess from the fateful fire that would add the finishing touch to the highly sought after XKSS offspring, it still emerges mysteriously iconic. Between 1954 and 1957, the Jaguar factory developed these astonishing cars using a revolutionary structure and chassis system of considerable strength and lightweight design that was itself a groundbreaking innovation.
Sadly, the fateful and devastating Jaguar factory fire consumed the last of the D-Type lineage as the XKSS, taking with it nine of these exceptional and unique factory cars, spawning the legend. Only 16 of the original models survived, each contributing to history either racing, privateering or in the hands of movie stars. Over the years, much lore has transpired regarding the lost nine cars, while the remaining 16 have achieved record prices at world auctions. It should come as no surprise that Jaguar Cars has recently announced it will reconstruct the fabled nine XKSS cars as a “continuation” of the fateful series, painstakingly based on the original specs in tribute to those lost in the fire. Even though these cars are still under construction, all have been sold for well over a million pounds each.
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