If there is one car which has always captured my imagination, its definitely the Jaguar XKSS, a racing car, which I know from photos. Originally produced in 1956–1957, only 25 were produced, nine of which were destroyed by fire at the Jaguar factory shortly after completion. This week, the company has announced to be producing the car again, not as replicas, but each of the nine examples will be crafted by hand, using the exact same techniques and materials as with the original car. The famed car was originally become synonymous with Steve McQueen and his own image, as he had acquired an example in forest green in 1958, now at the Petersen Museum. His love for fast cars and motorcycles is legendary as he once referred to his XKSS as ‘green rat.’ In fact, he loved this car that much that after selling it in 1969, he re-bought it in 1977. In 2010, it toured the US as a part of the ‘Allure of the Automobile’ exhibit.
