VIN: the James Grove Jaguar XKSS chassis 719
Jaguar - Jaguar XKSS - Jaguar VINs - XKSS VINs - James Grove - Steve Earle
History of chassis XKSS 719
XKSS chassis 719 began life as a partially assembled D-Type (XKD 572). Before completion as a D-type, the car was selected for conversion to XKSS trim.
Configured in White with a black interior and matching black roof, chassis 719 was delivered by Jaguar Midwest Distributors Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, to James Grove of St Louis, Missouri.
James Grove was an occasional but enthusiastic amateur racing driver. Between 1953 and 1954 he had raced a Jaguar XK120. In the years that followed, he moved on to an Austin-Healey 100, an OSCA and a Jaguar XK140
Grove took delivery of the white XKSS in late July of 1957. However, he is only understood to have raced his expensive new machine at a couple of low key events. Over the next couple of years, Grove installed a Hi-Torque limited-slip differential and changed the rear axle ratio.
In late January of 1959, Grove sold the car to his friend, Jerry Hardesty, who was also a resident of St. Louis.
Grove replaced the Jaguar with a spectacular Ferrari 290 Mille Miglia.
During chassis 719’s time with Hardesty, the colour scheme was changed to black on red.
In late 1963, Hardesty sold the car to collector, Steven Earle, of Los Angeles, California.
Earle in turn sold the car on in October 1969 (to The Vintage Car Store of Nyack, New York).
In December 1969, The Vintage Car Store sold chassis 719 to Robert Danny of Middlesex, England. Once shipped back across the Atlantic, it was UK registered BLA 82H.
Five years later, Danny sold the car to Clive Jarman of London who had it completely restored by Lynx Engineering. The colour was changed again – to British Racing Green over black (as depicted here).
The restoration took place from May 1976 until July 1977. Upon completion, chassis 719 was sold to the first of several US owners (Bob Baker of Omaha, Nebraska).
Notable History
White
07/1957 sold via Jaguar Midwest Distributors Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, to James Grove of St Louis, Missouri
01/1959 sold to Jerry Hardesty of St. Louis, Missouri
Colour changed to black with red interior
Late 1963 sold to Steve Earle, Los Angeles, California
10/1969 sold to The Vintage Car Store Inc., Nyack, New York
12/1969 sold to Robert Danny, Middlesex, England
Mid 1970s sold to Clive Jarman, London
Subsequently restored by Lynx Engineering
07/77 sold to first of several US collectors (Bob Baker, Omaha, Nebraska)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
