This 1961 Jaguar Mark II saloon (chassis 176963DN) was built for the 1997 Carrera Panamericana. Modifications look extensive, well-engineered and are said to have totaled more than $120,000. A later XK six channels nearly 400 estimated horsepower to the rear wheels, which in conjunction with a BMW sourced ZF 6-speed gearbox powered it to a class win at the 1999 Panamericana. Find it here on Car & Classic in Dallas, Texas for 37,500 GBP (~$60,701 today).

Though said to be stripped of all non-essential items in the name of weight savings, the car still retains much of its signature chrome and other brightwork—it just wouldn’t be an old Jag without it. A heavily louvered hood should allow the big, breathed-on six to ventilate well, and we like the royal blue color. Aside from an identifying number and a few Carrera scripts it’s a pretty low-key livery.

The cabin is all-business with bare sheet metal door cards, deeply bolstered race Recar0s, harnesses, a roll-cage, and full custom dash. There are more than enough gauges to keep an eye on the rotational speed, pressure, or temperature of all the mechanical bits and various fluids, while a rally computer helps with stage timing. Modern top-hinged race pedals look tightly spaced for heel and toeing, but the shifter looks a bit far rearward for ideal ergonomics—we doubt it’d deter us from having a blast hustling it along a sinuous, bumpy stage, though.

A late four liter XK runs big Weber sidedrafts and likely significant internal modification if the claimed 375 HP claim is to be believed. We bet it sounds utterly fantastic and pulls like a train. Four wheel discs are almost certainly upgraded from the standard Dunlop items, and an LSD rear helps put that big power figure down efficiently. A fuel cell keeps the big, thirsty carbs supplied with plenty of fuel.

We love this car for many reasons, but mostly because it takes one of our favorite models and mixes it with one of our favorite vintage endurance races. It’d be the thrill and privilege of a lifetime to pilot it in the Carrera, and we hope to see it on 2014 the competitor list.