1957 Team CJ Jaguar XKSS (RG)

Inspired by the famous Steve McQueen XKSS (pictured) that is now on permanent display at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, our Team CJ XKSS will feature an ultra lightweight aluminum body and a 4.7L Stage Two E Type engine. The drive train, including independent front and rear suspension and upgraded steering and brakes, is also derived from a Jaguar E Type.

The car will be finished in British Racing Green with black hides.

 

A look at some of the details on the finished XKSS. July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 July 7, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 July 7, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021 February 24, 2021 May 10, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021 The following photographs show Carlos recreating the interior that was custom made for Steve McQueen by his hot rodding friend, Tony Nancy. Fortunately we have lots of photographs to work from, and Carlos is doing a fantastic job of copying Tony Nancy's work. The last photos in the sequence show Jake riveting the screen to the front cowl. The XKSS is starting to look more like a car every day! February 24, 2021 Sewing the seat base panels together February 2, 2021 Creating leather beading for the seats February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 Comparing the first seat base to photos of the original Tony Nancy seats Starting to create the seat back February 2, 2021 Air vents installed in the center spine of the seat back February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 Seat back panels starting to take shape February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 Jake riveting the screen to the front cowl The exposed aluminum beneath the blue masking tape will be painted British Racing Green February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021 The following sequence of photos show Carlos creating the new hide seats and Chris installing the engine and transmission. February 2, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 22, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 21, 2021 January 5, 2021 Painting the bonnet and engine subframes. January 5, 2021 January 5, 2021 January 5, 2021 January 5, 2021 January 5, 2021 Painting in progress! January 5, 2021 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 December 30, 2020 Jake has now completed the fabrication of the headlamp trim December 30, 2020 Trial fitting and adjusting the front screen frame and side windows October 14, 2020 October 14, 2020 Plotting the center line of the car so we can position the conv top frame and luggage rack perfectly October 14, 2020 We fabricated a steering hub for the XKSS October 14, 2020 E Type wheel used for test fit purposes as the new D Type wheel is not yet completed Trial fitting the hub to the custom upper column Half oval aluminum stock The headlamp trim is made entirely by hand The following sequence of photographs show Jake fabricating head lamp trim rings from straight sections of 'half oval' aluminum stock. Annealing the aluminum to make it more pliable Trim is constantly trial fitted Trial fitting front brakes New data plate Aluminum is heated almost to melting point during the annealing process So far everything is lining up perfectly September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 September 2, 2020 Looking more like a car every day! September 2, 2020 IRS now mounted on 4 metalastic cage mounts Chris welding custom IRS mounting brackets to the steel subframe August 27, 2020 August 27, 2020 August 27, 2020 Making sure we have adequate clearance for the engine and Weber carbs August 27, 2020 August 27, 2020 August 27, 2020 Note the angle of the oil pan This shot demonstrates how the engine is tilted over to the left Time to design and spec the driveshaft August 27, 2020 Trial fitting wheels Crucial to get the angles right between the engine and the pinion August 27, 2020 Plenty of clearance! Trial fitting the suspension and and major drive train components. August 27, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 August 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 IRS, brakes and differential in kit form June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 My favorite steering wheel in the world! Look carefully and you can see evidence of 3 lock washers at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock Note the beautiful coffee hue of an aged, unrestored D Type wheel Note screw at 12 o'clock has been changed and a washer added Bruce Baciu (ace mechanic in the Petersen workshop) measuring the radius at the end of the spokes June 19, 2020 Rim thickness varies significantly around the wheel, which is typical of handmade CTB wheels June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 19, 2020 Corey torquing the cylinder head Your engine is now fully assembled! May 5, 2020 May 5, 2020 May 5, 2020 May 5, 2020 A view down the main cap housings after align honing has been completed Precision align honing is a vital part of one of our Stage Two builds Team CJ 4.7L Stage Two engine rebuild in progress. Team CJ forged stroker pistons Forged steel connecting rods shave 600g from the rotating assembly Torque plate cylinder hone in progress Installing rods and pistons Hanging rods on pistons Head now fully machined and assembled View along intake runner to valve seat Forged pistons now installed in block Preparing to trial fit the rebuilt front and rear suspension in the CJ Workshop. Storage for McQueen's Marlboros and Persol shades We are excited to have sourced a genuine, original, unrestored D Type/XKSS speedometer for our XKSS project. Genuine XKSS speedo is a fantastic accessory for this car It is now time to start building the drive train for this exciting project. Construction closely follows the original, with most panels riveted or TIG welded This particular Team CJ XKSS will be LHD Actual spinner from the legendary McQueen XKSS IRS rebuild already underway The famous Steve McQueen XKSS