Rare Jaguar Valued Over $1 Million to be Sold at Barrett-Jackson's 32nd Annual Scottsdale Auction

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Nov. 19, 2002--One of the most extraordinary of all of Jaguar's road-going cars, the 1957 Jaguar XK SS Roadster, will be offered for sale at the 2003 Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction.
    This extremely rare vehicle is one of only 16 original cars of its type produced by the Jaguar factory in England in 1957. A portfolio of documentation, detailing its ownership history spanning back to pre-delivery correspondence, accompanies this fully restored car. Valued in excess of $1 million, the original Jaguar XK SS Roadsters are much sought after sports cars that rarely become available on the market. Its last owner acquired this specific Jaguar in 1985.
    Produced in very limited numbers, the XK SS was in effect the road going relation of the famed Jaguar D-Type, which achieved a very distinguished racing career including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race four times. Despite taming the car by adding doors, a full windshield and other road going equipment, the XK SS was still capable of a maximum speed of 170mph.
    Such was the appeal of these cars with their racy looks and awesome performance that they attracted well-heeled enthusiasts, including American actors Hugh O'Brian -- Wyatt Earp on TV, and actor and racing enthusiast Steve McQueen -- known at the time as the character Josh Randall from the "Bounty Hunter" TV series.
    The 32nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, presented by Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep, will be held Jan. 16 through Jan. 19, 2003 at WestWorld in Scottsdale. Further information is available on the company Web site at www.barrett-jackson.com.