đź”» WATCH FULL VIDEO BELOWđź”»
The Legend of Steve McQueen and His 1957 Jaguar XKSS
There are few figures in automotive and cultural history who command the kind of reverence reserved for Steve McQueen. Known as the “King of Cool,” McQueen was more than just a movie star; he was a force of nature, a man defined by his contradictions—charismatic yet tormented, tender yet volatile, and above all, an authentic gearhead who lived and breathed the machines he drove. Among his legendary collection, one car stands out not just for its rarity, but for its intimate connection to McQueen’s raw, unfiltered persona: his 1957 Jaguar XKSS.
To understand the mystique of this particular Jaguar, one must first understand the man. Steve McQueen’s life was a tapestry woven with grit and glamour. Born into poverty and a turbulent childhood, he found his escape and his identity in speed. Whether he was tearing through the deserts of California on a motorcycle, navigating the treacherous hills of Los Angeles in his Mustang, or pushing the limits at Le Mans, McQueen wasn’t just performing; he was alive. His passion was visceral, his talent undeniable, and his legacy, cemented by films like Bullitt and Le Mans, endures nearly half a century after his passing.
This 2026 article revisits a vehicle that encapsulates McQueen’s spirit: the Jaguar XKSS, chassis number XK.SS.713. It is a car that bridges the gap between the raw, untamed world of 1950s motorsport and the polished glamour of Hollywood. Join us as we explore the history of this iconic machine, its legendary owner, and why, even today, it remains one of the most desirable automobiles ever created.
The Golden Age of Jaguar and the Birth of the XKSS
The 1950s were a golden era for Jaguar. The British marque was synonymous with success, dominating the world’s most demanding races, most notably the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With their stunning D-Type racers, Jaguars claimed victory at La Sarthe five times during the decade, solidifying their reputation for building cars that were as beautiful as they were blisteringly fast.
But what happens to race cars when the checkered flag falls? For Jaguar, the answer was the XKSS. Following the end of their factory racing program in 1956, the company found itself with a surplus of D-Types that were no longer competitive against newer designs. Instead of letting these masterpieces gather dust, Jaguar embarked on a visionary project: converting these purebred racers into street-legal GT cars.
The transformation was remarkable. The iconic dorsal fin that gave the D-Type its distinctive silhouette was removed, replaced by a practical luggage rack. A full-width windscreen replaced the aeroscreen, side curtains were fitted to the doors, and a rudimentary exhaust system, complete with sidepipes, was installed. These weren’t mere cosmetic changes; they were the practical adjustments needed to tame a beast for the road.
The result was the XKSS—a car that retained the soul of a racer while offering just enough civility for road use. Jaguar built only 16 of these exquisite machines, each a testament to the engineering prowess of Sir William Lyons and his team. Today, they are among the most coveted Jaguars in existence, valued not just for their rarity, but for their incredible driving dynamics.
The King’s Choice: How Steve McQueen Found His Green Rat
Among the elite few who owned an XKSS was Steve McQueen. McQueen, already a rising star in the late 1950s, was known for his passion for all things mechanical. He spent his downtime away from the set doing what he loved most: working on cars and motorcycles, and tearing through the winding roads of the Hollywood Hills.
His connection to the XKSS began when he spotted one parked on Sunset Boulevard. The car, originally a left-hand-drive model painted white with a red interior, belonged to Bill Leyden, a local TV personality. McQueen was captivated by its aggressive stance and predatory curves. Accounts vary on the exact details, but it’s widely believed that he purchased the car in 1958 for around $4,000.
McQueen immediately made his mark on the XKSS. He had it repainted in a deep, lustrous British Racing Green, the color that would become synonymous with the car. He enlisted the help of legendary hot-rodder and upholsterer Tony Nancy to redo the interior in black leather, and pinstriper Von Dutch added a custom metal glovebox door—reportedly to keep McQueen’s sunglasses from flying out during spirited drives.
This wasn’t just another car in his burgeoning collection; it was his car. He affectionately nicknamed it the “Green Rat,” a moniker that perfectly captured its dual nature—beautiful yet rugged, refined yet wild. It became his constant companion, the vehicle of choice for his late-night escapades through the canyons.
Driving the Green Rat Today: A Journey Back in Time
To drive the 1957 Jaguar XKSS today is to step directly into McQueen’s world. We had the privilege of experiencing chassis 713 firsthand on the very roads McQueen once owned: the twisting, undulating pavement of Mulholland Drive.
The moment you approach the XKSS, you understand its allure. Its proportions are intoxicating—compact yet muscular, with fenders that flow like sculpted muscle and a nose that seems to sniff the air. The cockpit is a snug, intimate space, a world away from modern comfort. Slipping into the driver’s seat, you’re immediately enveloped by the Tony Nancy leather, the rich scent of which still lingers after decades.
The driving experience is visceral. Turn the key, and the 3.4-liter straight-six engine erupts to life with a throaty roar, a sound that reverberates through the chassis. There’s no gentle awakening here; the XKSS announces its presence with authority. The engine, a detuned racing unit capable of producing around 250 horsepower, delivers a surge of torque that pins you to the seat.
Shifting gears through the stubby aluminum lever is a mechanical ballet. It requires precision and commitment—treat it gently, and it resists; treat it with confidence, and it snaps through the gates with satisfying precision. Each gear change is a tactile event, a direct connection between driver and machine.
On Mulholland Drive, the XKSS truly comes alive. The suspension, while firm, soaks up the road’s imperfections with surprising grace, feeding every nuance of the pavement through the steering wheel. You feel every curve, every undulation, every nuance of the road surface. It’s a driving experience that demands your full attention, but rewards it tenfold with an intoxicating blend of speed, sound, and sensation.
The sound alone is worth the price of admission. The side-exit exhaust pipes unleash a cacophony of mechanical music—a throaty burble at low revs, a race-bred howl as the revs climb, and an intoxicating crackle and pop on deceleration. It’s a symphony that would make any gearhead weak at the knees.
McQueen’s Legacy: The Enduring Appeal of the XKSS
Steve McQueen owned the Green Rat until his untimely death in 1980. After his passing, the car was sold to avid collector Richard Freshman, who commissioned a meticulous restoration that preserved the car’s character while ensuring its mechanical integrity. Today, the car resides in the collection of Robert E. Petersen, founder of MotorTrend, where it continues to inspire awe.
What makes the XKSS so special? It’s the perfect synthesis of form and function. Jaguar’s designers understood that a race car should be beautiful, and they succeeded beyond measure. The D-Type’s aerodynamic lines, penned by Malcolm Sayer, were revolutionary, and the XKSS inherited that visual DNA.
But beauty without substance is meaningless. The XKSS delivers on its visual promise with performance that remains impressive even by today’s standards. With around 250 horsepower and a weight of just over 2,000 pounds, it accelerates with ferocity, cornering with precision and agility that belie its age.
Beyond the numbers, however, lies the intangible magic of the XKSS. It’s a car that connects you to a bygone era, a time when driving was an adventure, when cars were mechanical works of art, and when drivers were often as famous as the stars who portrayed them.
The Myth of Mulholland: Speed, Stories, and the Law
Mulholland Drive wasn’t just a road to McQueen; it was his playground. For decades, he and a select group of friends would take their cars out in the dead of night, seeking the thrill of speed on the twisting ribbon of pavement that snaked through the Hollywood Hills.
The stories from that era are legendary. Some say local law enforcement, tired of the nightly disruption, offered substantial rewards for anyone who could catch McQueen and the Green Rat. Others claim he was pursued numerous times but never caught, leaving the officers empty-handed. The truth, as always, is likely somewhere in between, but the legend persists.
Driving Mulholland today, it’s easy to imagine the scene. The same curves that tested McQueen’s skill now test modern drivers, though perhaps with a bit more caution. You can almost picture the flash of the Jaguar’s headlights cutting through the darkness, the distinctive roar of its exhaust echoing off the canyon walls.
The XKSS wasn’t just a car to McQueen; it was an extension of himself. It embodied his rebellious spirit, his love of speed, and his uncompromising pursuit of perfection. In a world of ever-increasing regulation and safety standards, the Green Rat stands as a testament to a time when
