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Driving Steve McQueen’s 1957 Jaguar XKSS: One of the Rarest Jags of All Time
In the hallowed halls of automotive history, certain cars transcend mere transportation, becoming symbols of an era, a personality, or an ideal. Among these automotive legends, the 1957 Jaguar XKSS holds a special place, forever intertwined with the captivating aura of its most famous owner: the inimitable Steve McQueen. This isn’t just a story about a vintage car; it’s a journey back to a golden age of Hollywood, where the lines between movie magic and real-life adrenaline blurred, and where one man’s passion for speed defined an icon.
The King of Cool and His Machines
Steve McQueen, known affectionately as “The King of Cool,” was a man of many facets. A complex soul with a troubled past, he rose from a childhood marked by instability to become one of the most iconic leading men of his generation. His magnetism on screen was undeniable, a potent blend of rugged masculinity, smoldering intensity, and a roguish charm that captivated audiences worldwide. But beyond the silver screen, McQueen was a man driven by a singular, all-consuming passion: the pursuit of speed and the mechanical symphony of high-performance machinery.
For McQueen, cars and motorcycles were more than just toys; they were extensions of his very being. This wasn’t the curated image of a celebrity; it was a genuine, lifelong obsession that permeated every aspect of his existence. From the iconic motorcycle chase in The Great Escape to the visceral, gear-grinding intensity of Le Mans, his on-screen personas often mirrored his off-screen reality. The grease under his fingernails wasn’t for show; it was a badge of honor earned through countless hours spent tinkering, tuning, and pushing his machines to their absolute limits.
His filmography reads like a petrolhead’s dream playlist. In the seminal Bullitt, he cemented his automotive legacy with the legendary San Francisco chase scene, piloting a Highland Green Mustang GT Fastback through the city’s treacherous hills with a precision that bordered on balletic. The roar of the V8 engine became the soundtrack to his cool, a visceral expression of raw power and controlled chaos. Then came Le Mans, a film so immersive it blurred the lines between reality and fiction. McQueen poured his heart and soul into this project, determined to capture the raw, unfiltered essence of endurance racing. He lived and breathed the experience, spending weeks immersed in the world of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a grueling test of man and machine that pushed both to the breaking point.
But it wasn’t just on screen where McQueen’s mechanical prowess shone. In his personal life, he was a voracious collector and a skilled mechanic. His garages were legendary, housing a breathtaking array of automobiles and motorcycles spanning the spectrum of performance. From the raw, untamed power of his Cobra to the refined elegance of his Ferraris, each machine told a story of his relentless pursuit of automotive perfection.
Among this storied collection, one car stood out, a true embodiment of his spirit: the 1957 Jaguar XKSS. This wasn’t just another acquisition; it was a statement. A reflection of his appreciation for engineering excellence, racing pedigree, and timeless design. This particular XKSS, chassis number XK.SS.713, would become one of his most cherished possessions, a tangible link to his passion that he would hold until the very end.
The Birth of a Legend: From Race Track to Road
To understand the significance of McQueen’s XKSS, one must first delve into the remarkable story of the Jaguar D-Type, the race car from which it was born. In the mid-1950s, Jaguar was a dominant force in international motorsport. The company’s D-Type, a masterpiece of aerodynamic efficiency and engineering innovation, was a fixture on the world’s most challenging race tracks. With its sleek, flowing lines and legendary XK inline-six engine, the D-Type was a potent combination of beauty and brutality.
Jaguar’s dominance in endurance racing was nothing short of remarkable. The company claimed victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans an astounding five times during the decade, including an unprecedented hat-trick in 1955, 1956, and 1957. These victories weren’t just triumphs for the company; they cemented Jaguar’s reputation as a builder of the world’s finest sports racing cars.
Yet, as the racing landscape evolved, so too did the D-Type’s competitive lifespan. By the late 1950s, new regulations and the emergence of more advanced machinery began to challenge Jaguar’s supremacy. The factory team, having achieved its competitive goals, gradually wound down its official racing efforts. However, the company found itself with a surplus of D-Type chassis and components, a testament to their production prowess.
Rather than let these exceptional machines languish in obscurity, Jaguar’s visionary founder, Sir William Lyons, conceived a brilliant idea. What if these pure-bred race cars could be transformed into street-legal sports cars? The concept was audacious, a daring fusion of racing pedigree and road-going civility. The result was the Jaguar XKSS, a limited-edition production car that would bridge the gap between the racetrack and the open road.
The conversion process was a masterclass in sympathetic engineering. The D-Type’s raw, uncompromising form was gently refined to meet the demands of street legality. A full-width windshield, a rarity in the world of racing, was added to provide protection from the elements. A functional soft top and luggage rack were grafted onto the rear deck, replacing the D-Type’s distinctive dorsal fin. Removable side curtains provided additional weather protection, while a simplified exhaust system and street-spec lighting completed the transformation.
The interior, while retaining its sporting character, was enhanced with creature comforts. Two upholstered seats replaced the D-Type’s utilitarian cockpit, and a passenger-side door, a notable departure from the D-Type’s single-door design, was added for practicality. The result was a car that retained the visceral thrill of its racing roots while offering a degree of refinement that made it suitable for road use.
Production of the XKSS was strictly limited, a testament to its exclusive nature. In total, only 16 examples were ever built, each a hand-finished testament to Jaguar’s engineering excellence. This rarity, combined with the car’s racing provenance and stunning design, immediately elevated it to the status of a highly sought-after collector’s item.
A Hollywood Connection: The Tale of XKSS 713
When Steve McQueen first laid eyes on the 1957 Jaguar XKSS, it was a moment of pure, unadulterated infatuation. Legend has it that he first encountered the car parked on a studio lot on Sunset Boulevard, a shimmering green jewel amidst the Hollywood hustle. From that moment on, the seed was planted.
McQueen’s relationship with XKSS 713 was a passionate affair that would span years. He wasted no time in making the car his own, imprinting his distinctive personality onto its already captivating form. The car’s exterior was repainted in a rich, lustrous British Racing Green, a color that perfectly complemented its sporting character and British heritage.
The interior also bore the mark of McQueen’s touch. Local drag racer and upholsterer Tony Nancy, a close friend and confidant of the actor, was commissioned to reupholster the cockpit in supple black leather. This wasn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it was a functional enhancement, creating a driver-focused environment that was both luxurious and practical.
Perhaps the most iconic testament to McQueen’s personalization was the addition of a metal glovebox door, fabricated by the legendary pinstriper Von Dutch. This seemingly small detail served a specific purpose: to keep McQueen’s sunglasses from flying out of the open dash compartment during spirited drives. It was a testament to his hands-on approach to his cars, a practical solution to a very real problem experienced by a man who loved to drive with gusto.
McQueen affectionately nicknamed the car the “Green Rat,” a term of endearment that spoke to his no-nonsense, blue-collar sensibility. Despite its million-dollar value, he treated the car not as a museum piece, but as a machine to be driven and enjoyed. He was often photographed working on the car himself, his hands stained with grease, his focus absolute.
The story of XKSS 713 is also a tale of rediscovery and return. At one point, McQueen sold the car to the legendary collector William F. Harrah for his renowned Harrah’s Auto Collection in Reno. Harrah, a man who appreciated the significance of automotive history, recognized the car’s importance and ensured its preservation. However, as the years passed, McQueen’s affection for the XKSS never waned.
After a decade apart, McQueen’s desire for the Green Rat returned with renewed intensity. What followed was a protracted negotiation, a back-and-forth between two automotive titans that tested patience and resolve. The story goes that the negotiations were occasionally fraught with tension, yet ultimately, McQueen’s determination prevailed. He repurchased the car, bringing it back into his life where it would remain until his untimely passing in 1980.
The Drive of a Lifetime: Homage on Mulholland Drive
The legacy of Steve McQueen’s XKSS is inextricably linked to the winding, serpentine roads of Mulholland Drive. This iconic ribbon of pavement, snaking along the crest of the Hollywood Hills, served as McQueen’s personal playground, a sanctuary where he could escape the pressures of fame and indulge
