Ultra-rare black Jaguar with 149mph top-speed dubbed ‘most sought after EVER’ set to sell for £11MILLION
An extremely rare Jaguar is tipped to sell for a whopping £11million at auction.
The classic 1957 XKSS was one of only 16 of its kind made at the time, earning it the accolade of “most sought-after” model of all road-going Jaguars.
The open-top XKSS can do a top speed of 149mph thanks to its 4.8-litre engine, and it boasts a staggering 0-60mph of 5.2 seconds.
It is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Belgravia, west London on 2 November 2, Luxury Auto News reported.
It has had five previous owners in the UK and Australia.
In 1957 it sold for a mere £5,200 – working out at around £157,123 in today’s money, when inflation is factored in.
The vintage black Jaguar is now tipped to be bought for 70 times that figure.
A spokesperson for the auction house said: “Highly significant and historically important; the first XKSS to be offered at auction in Europe.
“The most sought-after of all road-going Jaguars; considered to be a D-Type for the road.”
They added that it had been retained by Jaguar until April 1957 and later returned to the manufacturer for conversion to full XKSS specification in October 1958.
The spokesman continued: “Impeccably preserved, retaining its matching-numbers monocoque chassis, front sub-frame, and body.
“Upgraded from 3.4- to 3.8-litre specification by the Jaguar factory in 1960; importantly retains its original cylinder head.”
It has an “accomplished racing history” including competitive entries in the United Kingdom and Australia.
The spokesman added: “Sold to Jack Browning in 1959 and subsequently to Australia in 1962, where it was raced locally by Laurie O’Neill and Colin Hyams.
“Purchased in 1972 by noted Jaguar enthusiast Bryan Corser, prior to its sale in 1985 to long-term owner Hermann Graf von Hatzfeldt.
“Fastidiously maintained in recent years by marque specialists Pearsons Engineering and CKL Developments Ltd.
“Accompanied by a generous spares package that includes headlights, a rear axle, Marston Excelsior radiator, pistons rods, wheels, wheel bearings, and more.”
Sholto Gilbertson, Sotheby’s Director of Sales, UK, said: “This hugely significant car, being the very first XKSS to have ever been offered for auction in Europe, highlights the stature of our upcoming London sale.
“And reinforces RM Sotheby’s unquestioned position as the world’s leading auction house for the world’s finest motor cars.”