RM Sotheby’s is offering an extremely rare piece of Jaguar history, a 1957 Jaguar XKSS. With only 16 examples known to exist, the XKSS stands out as one of the most coveted road-going Jaguars, capturing the spirit of Jaguar’s D-Type racing legacy.

The particular model up for auction, chassis XKD 540, features notable provenance. Originally crafted as a “Short Nose” D-Type, it was later converted to XKSS specification at Jaguar’s facility in 1958, a transition ordered by then-owner Phil Scragg, a prominent hill climber.

Beyond its rare specifications, XKD 540 boasts a well-documented racing history. After its debut in the UK, the car was shipped to Australia in 1962, where it competed under Laurie O’Neill and later, Colin Hyams, a notable racer. In the hands of various esteemed owners, XKD 540’s journey stretched from track events in the UK and Australia to the prestigious Mille Miglia Storica.