1957 Jaguar XKSS Roadster

The XKSS was a road-going version of the successful Jaguar D-Type racing car.

Originally owned by noted Riverside Raceway designer James Edward Peterson, this example was later sold to television personality Bill Leyden before being acquired by actor Steve McQueen. One of only 16 built, it was originally white with a red interior. After McQueen purchased the car he had it repainted a favorite shade of green, polished the Dunlop wheels and had the interior re-trimmed in black. McQueen did most of the maintenance himself as he was a capable mechanic. He enjoyed driving the car fast and is reported to have received so many tickets and his drivers license was almost suspended twice during his first year of ownership. He sold the car in the early 1970s to famed collector Bill Harrah and later reacquired the car in 1978 keeping it until his untimely death in 1980. After McQueen's death in 1984, the car was bought by his friend and neighbor Richard Freshman, who had it overhauled by Jaguar specialist Lynx Engineering in England. In 2000 the car was acquired by the Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles.