2024-02-19 11:16:21 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1979-jaguar-xkss-recreation-by-puma-engineering-n ...

One of the documents supplied with this car shows 304629BW as the donor

Seller's description:

1979 Jaguar XKSS

Colour Blue

Odometer 49,048 Miles

Engine size 3800

Seller Type Private

Town Pontonx-sur-l'Adour

Country France

French registered with an extremely difficult to obtain 'XKSS Replica' title

Resplendent in period Ecurie Ecosse racing livery

Hand-built by British company Puma Engineering in June 1979

Original build specification documentation present

Hand-built by British company Puma Engineering in June 1979, this XKSS replica has a tubular trellis chassis, just like the original, and is powered by an XK 3.8-litre in-line 6-cylinder engine. Resplendent in period Ecurie Ecosse racing livery, which has now acquired a pleasing patina in keeping with track-tested competition cars, this replica allows you to imagine walking in Steve McQueen's bespoke suede shoes and experience what it was like to own an XKSS back in the day.

History and Documents

Built by the Puma workshops in June 1979

Registered in France with the title 'XKSS Replica' - which is very difficult to obtain

Original Puma specification sheet accompanies the car

Chassis number 002 by Puma

49,048 miles (79,000 km) indicated

Condition

Flag Blue metallic paint - the Ecurie Ecosse colour

Lightweight fibreglass body on tubular trellis chassis

Supplied with a luggage rack like Steve McQueen's

Vintage light alloy wheels in fair condition

Fitted with a folding bonnet for use in inclement weather

A spare wheel is fitted in a compartment at the rear

Tan leather upholstery

Period Lucas switches in correct condition

A heat shield covers the side exhaust

What makes this replica so realistic, apart from the period Ecurie Ecosse livery, is the patina it has acquired. After all, it was built over forty years ago, so it has had time to accumulate the little chips, scratches and marks that you would see on an original following a racing season.

The same is true of the interior, which has aged very gracefully. The leather has become softer with use and the controls show an even wear pattern. The folding roof shows its age but remains perfectly functional - a useful feature when the rain inevitably makes an appearance. There are no signs of noticeable damage to the bodywork and we are told that the chassis is in very good condition. All the chrome still looks shiny, with a slight patina to match the paintwork.

The Mechanics

Jaguar XK 3.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine

Four-speed fully synchronised manual gearbox (with overdrive)

Fuelled by three Weber 45 DCOE carburettors

Limited slip differential

Borrowed steering components from a Ford Escort Mk1, a Triumph

Triumph TR7 and MG MGB

All in good condition under the bonnet

Just like the original, there's a 3.8-litre in-line six-cylinder XK engine under the bonnet, fed by a trio of Weber carburettors. With a lightweight chassis and body, there's enough performance to exploit the car's capabilities, and we're assured that this XKSS drives very well.

For those looking for a driving experience as close as possible to that of the motorsport heroes of the 1950s, this is the car for you. It's surely the ideal candidate to take part in events such as Le Mans Classic, Spa-Classic or the Nürburgring Oldtimer-Grand-Prix.