A Jaguar XKSS Replica: Better Than the Real Thing?

From Road & Track

In the automotive world, there's a widely held derision for replica cars. Most replicas are haphazard knock-offs, mimicking the style without backing it up with any substance.

James Chen's Jaguar XKSS recreation isn't like that.

This roadster was custom-built on a Jaguar E-Type frame, with bodywork and interior that nearly identically mimic an original XKSS. Jaguar only built 16 of those racing-inspired cars, and they now command multiple millions of dollars-if you can find one for sale.

So while Chen's Jag is technically a replica, it's got some great benefits over the real thing. For one, Chen isn't afraid to drive it-including on road rallies for vintage automobiles. It's got some technical improvements over the original XKSS, and if something unforeseen happens, it won't take an original out of commission forever.

At the end of the day, it's all about the drive. Who cares whether it's in an original or a lovingly-constructed re-creation?

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