If a few million dollars on a new supercar doesn’t excite you, perhaps it’s time to think about a classic. Take, for instance, the 1957 Jaguar XKSS—one of just 16 ever made and the first of its kind to be auctioned in Europe. Be sure to give your accountant a heads-up, as auction house RM Sotheby’s anticipates this masterpiece on wheels could fetch up to $14 million.
Sporting a sleek black exterior and a black leather interior, this sought-after car stands out with its exposed, riveted aluminum side panels and two-piece magnesium-alloy wheels, complete with striking red-painted centers. Though the car has undergone careful restoration in recent years, it still boasts an appealing patina, particularly visible on its slightly worn and scratched dashboard.
Under the hood, records indicate that hill climber, Phil Scragg sold XKD 540 in late 1959 to renowned British hill-climber Jack Browning. The following year, Browning had Jaguar upgrade the car’s robust straight-six engine, boosting its output to nearly 250 hp by increasing the displacement from 3.4 liters to 3.8 liters, enhancing its performance even further.
The car is reported to retain its original matching-numbers chassis, front sub-frame, and body, along with key components such as the rear axle, suspension, and braking system. Additionally, details like the header tank, dry sump tank, radiator, oil cooler, and hood frame are believed to be original to the chassis.
The car is heading to auction in London, where it’s expected to rake in over $14 million. Anyone got a lightly used $14 mil they’re not using this weekend?
Images: Neil Fraser / Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
