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Driving Steve McQueen’s 1957 Jaguar XKSS: A Hollywood Legend Reborn in 2026
The King of Cool’s machine hits the Mulholland Drive, proving timeless style transcends generations
Steve McQueen. Even now, decades after his passing, the name conjures a potent cocktail of rugged masculinity, effortless cool, and a raw, untamed spirit. He was the quintessential rebel, the anti-hero who rode motorcycles like a demon, raced cars with reckless abandon, and possessed a smoldering screen presence that could melt celluloid. But beyond the leather jackets and the enigmatic gaze lay a man of profound contradictions—a dyslexic youth who conquered Hollywood, a sensitive soul with a volatile temper, and above all, a genuine gearhead who found his truest form behind the wheel.
In 2026, as we navigate a landscape saturated with digital noise and ephemeral trends, the allure of McQueen’s legacy feels more potent than ever. We’re drawn to the authenticity of his era, the raw mechanics of his machines, and the sheer audacity of his lifestyle. Nowhere is this magnetic pull stronger than in the legend of his 1957 Jaguar XKSS—a car that embodies the very essence of his persona.
This isn’t just any vintage automobile; it’s a rolling piece of Hollywood history, a testament to a time when cars were visceral, mechanical entities that demanded respect and rewarded skill. For us here at MotorTrend, the chance to revisit this icon—not in a museum case, but on the very roads where McQueen once tested its limits—is the ultimate pilgrimage. The destination: the sinuous curves of Mulholland Drive, the legendary proving ground of the King of Cool himself.
The McQueen Mystique: More Than Just a Star
Before we turn the key, it’s crucial to understand the man who breathed life into this machine. Steve McQueen wasn’t merely an actor who dabbled in cars; he was a bona fide racer who could hold his own against professionals. His passion wasn’t a publicity stunt—it was the very core of his identity. From the visceral thrill of the dune buggy chase in The Thomas Crown Affair to the high-octane ballet of the Mustang vs. Charger showdown in Bullitt, his on-screen chemistry with automobiles was undeniable.
But it was the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 that truly cemented his legend. Determined to capture the raw poetry of endurance racing, McQueen threw himself into the production of Le Mans, co-driving a Porsche 917 with Jackie Stewart. The film, a critical and commercial triumph, wasn’t just entertainment—it was a love letter to the sport, a testament to the men who pushed themselves and their machines to the brink. As McQueen famously quipped, “Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting.”
This philosophy permeated every aspect of his existence. He was a collector of rare and exotic machinery—Porsches, Ferraris, Cobras, and of course, Jaguars. Each vehicle in his sprawling collection told a story, but perhaps none whispered quite as loudly as his 1957 XKSS.
The Birth of a Legend: From D-Type to XKSS
To fully appreciate the significance of McQueen’s XKSS, we must journey back to the halcyon days of 1950s sports car racing. Jaguar, under the visionary leadership of Sir William Lyons, was a dominant force on the world stage. Their D-Type, a purpose-built racer with revolutionary monocoque construction and aerodynamic refinement by Malcolm Sayer, was a masterpiece of engineering. It wasn’t just fast—it was beautiful, a sleek, predatory sculpture that embodied the golden age of motorsport.
But by the late 1950s, the D-Type was beginning to show its age. Racing regulations shifted, and newer, more potent contenders emerged. Jaguar found itself with a surplus of competition chassis—25 customer D-Types that, while still formidable, were no longer front-line racers.
This presented a crossroads. Would these magnificent machines languish in obscurity? Or could they be reborn? Jaguar, ever the innovator, chose the latter. Instead of scrapping the leftovers, they transformed them into something extraordinary: the XKSS.
This wasn’t a simple conversion; it was a metamorphosis. The dorsal fin, a signature element of the D-Type’s aerodynamic purity, was removed. A full-width windscreen was added to replace the rudimentary aero-screens. Side curtains replaced the cut-down doors, a rudimentary luggage rack was fitted, and the exposed exhausts were shielded (somewhat) to prevent scorching the calves of unsuspecting drivers.
The result was a car that straddled the line between track weapon and road-going GT. It retained the D-Type’s breathtaking performance—the potent 3.4-liter XK inline-six, the razor-sharp handling, the lightweight chassis—but presented it in a package civilized enough for the street. Only 16 XKSS models were ever built, making each survivor a rolling treasure.
XKSS 713: The “Green Rat” Finds its Soulmate
Steve McQueen’s XKSS, chassis number XK.SS.713, entered this rarefied world in April 1957. Imported by Jaguar Cars North America, it was originally specified in left-hand drive, though reports suggest it may have initially been a right-hand drive model that was later converted. Its first owner was James Peterson, a California contractor involved in the construction of Riverside International Raceway—fitting, given the car’s racing pedigree.
Peterson soon sold the Jag to Bill Leyden, a local TV personality who famously parked it on a Sunset Strip studio lot. It was there, amidst the Hollywood glamour and the grease-stained hands of mechanics, that McQueen first laid eyes on his future obsession. The year was 1958, and the legend was about to be forged.
McQueen purchased the XKSS, reportedly for a mere $4,000—a pittance for a car of this caliber, even in 1958. But he didn’t keep it in showroom condition. McQueen was a man who believed that cars were meant to be driven, not displayed. He added his indelible mark, repainting the car from its original lighter hue to a rich, deep British Racing Green that seemed to absorb the California sunlight.
The interior received a treatment from none other than Tony Nancy, a renowned Hollywood drag racer and upholsterer. He reupholstered the cockpit in black leather, creating a sanctuary of understated luxury. Perhaps the most iconic modification, however, came from the legendary pinstriper Von Dutch, another of McQueen’s automotive cronies. He fabricated a metal glovebox door to cover the open cubby in the dashboard, reportedly to prevent McQueen’s sunglasses from flying out during spirited drives.
This wasn’t just a car; it was a reflection of its owner’s soul. McQueen christened it the “Green Rat,” a term of endearment that spoke to its raw, unpolished character. He spent countless hours in his garage, wrenching on the XKSS, tuning the triple Webers, and coaxing every last drop of performance from the XK engine.
A Decade of Domination: The Legend Grows
For nearly a decade, the Green Rat was McQueen’s constant companion. It was his daily driver, his weekend warrior, his escape from the pressures of Hollywood stardom. He roared through the winding roads of the Hollywood Hills, testing the car’s limits late at night when the city slept. Residents of Mulholland Drive would hear the distinctive thrum of the straight-six engine echoing through the canyons and know that the King of Cool was out on the prowl.
The car was more than a possession—it was a partner. It bore witness to his triumphs and his demons, his quiet moments of reflection and his explosive bursts of energy. It was there as he plotted his cinematic masterpieces and as he wrestled with the complexities of his own identity.
In 1967, the Green Rat’s journey with McQueen took a temporary detour. He sold the car to the legendary collector William F. Harrah for his renowned museum in Reno, Nevada. The agreement stipulated that the car would remain on permanent display, a silent guardian of automotive history.
But a decade later, the pull of the Green Rat proved too strong to resist. McQueen, now older and perhaps more reflective, yearned for his mechanical muse. After a two-year negotiation—reports suggest it ranged from friendly to frosty—he repurchased the car. It was a reunion of sorts, a return to a part of himself that had never truly been left behind.
He kept the XKSS until the very end. When Steve McQueen passed away on November 7, 1980, at the tragically young age of 50, he left behind a legacy that would only continue to grow. And within that legacy, the Green Rat remained, a silent testament to a life lived at full throttle.
The 2026 Pilgrimage: A Drive on Mulholland Drive
Fast forward to 2026. The automotive world has transformed beyond recognition. We live in an era of electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and digital connectivity. Yet, as we stand on the precipice of the future, the allure of the past has never been stronger.
That’s why we’re here, on the sun-drenched pavement of Mulholland Drive, with the 1957 Jaguar XKSS—now meticulously restored and cared for by the Petersen Automotive Museum—in our hands. This isn’t a replica; it’s the real deal,
