Description
Source: Bonhams
LOT 154
Raced at Brooklands by Ian Appleyard, 1939 Jaguar SS100 Roadster
Sold for ? 216,500 (? 183,479) inc. premium
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Exceptional Automobiles in Retromobile, Paris
7 Feb 2009, 18:00 CET
Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles
Raced at Brooklands by Ian Appleyard
1939 Jaguar SS100 Roadster
Launched in 1936, the SS100, the first high-performance model produced by the firm SS Cars Ltd., used a new cylinder head engine studied by Harry Weslake and mounted in a shortened chassis of SS1. The introduction of an overhead valve group was to justify the adoption of a new name for this sport series. The boss of SS Cars, William Lyons, later recalled: “I immediately remembered the name of Jaguar which had a very exciting resonance for me”. (Jaguar became a brand in 1943 because “SS” had taken on an extremely negative connotation.)
Originally, ?SS? came from Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, a firm founded in Blackpool, England, by William Walmsley. The company entered the automobile industry in 1926 and its first great success was an attractive small sports sedan on the Austin Seven chassis, the design of which belonged to Walmsley’s partner, a certain William Lyons. The firm moved to Coventry and the range of Swallow models expanded to include Morris Cowley, Wolseley Hornet and Standard Sixteen chassis. The company gained brand status in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1, the chassis of which was supplied to Swallow by Standard, which also delivered its six-cylinder side valve and four-speed gearbox. Despite its modest performance, the SS1 decidedly advanced the brand towards the style of future Jaguars,
By the time the SS90 appeared in 1935, William Heynes had become chief engineer. On the basis of a shortened SS1 chassis redesigned by Heynes, the SS90 was further proof of Lyons’ know-how in terms of style: its fluid wings, its long hood, its scalloped doors and its truncated rear made it an emblematic silhouette of the sports car of the 1930s. Although given for 145 km / h, the SS90 was limited by its side valve engine, a deficiency that was soon to be resolved by the consultant in gas dynamics, Harry Weslake. Launched in 1936 alongside the 2 ? liter sedan, the Jaguar SS100 sport coincided with the first use of the “Jaguar” brand. Superbly designed in the style of the previous SS90,
Although intended for large tourism, the SS100 was first marketed to sports enthusiasts of the competition. His first big success was signed very early, if not unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, sailed by his wife, won the difficult International Cup of the Alps in 1936, beating Bugatti and drawing the attention of the continental public to the young brand. It was to be the first of a long series of rally victories including category successes in the RAC events in 1937 and 1938 and a new (absolute) success in the Coupe des Alpes in 1948. When the war of 1939 brought a At the end of the production of the SS100, around 198 “2 ? liters” and 116 “3 ? liters” later had been produced.
This SS100 was delivered by the factory on March 22, 1939 and sold, via the Appleyard distributor in Leeds, painted in Gunmetal (steel gray) with red leather upholstery. According to Terry Larson, Jaguar authority, before its delivery to its first owner, DE Cockcroft, the car raced at Brooklands driven by the famous Ian Appleyard himself. It later received a Mark V type engine (practically identical except the inscription “Jaguar” on the side instead of “SS” used before the war). After 1945, the car was exported to Switzerland where it became the property of the architect Artur Peter of Lucerne then of Serge Chabbey of Zurich who had undertaken a total restoration by HR Hoffmann & Co of Zurich. Acquired by the current owner in 2006, it has since been meticulously maintained within its private collection and repainted by Carrosserie Binggeli de Nyon. It was only used occasionally and in summer.
This car represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well-documented and highly sought-after example of an iconic model from the Jaguar legend. ?49057? is eligible for prestigious events and historic events such as the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, Le Mans Classic, Coloroda Grand, California Mille, etc. It is offered with a very complete historical file including also its Swiss registration papers, restoration invoices and its old British plate (DAK 141). Local taxes will be due if the car remains in Europe. Bonhams will assist with all formalities including the application of reduced import taxes (5.5% in France and 5% in the United Kingdom) if necessary.
Launched for 1936, the SS100 was the first real high-performance model produced by SS Cars Limited and used a new Weslake-developed overhead-valve engine in a shortened SS1 chassis. The introduction of the ohv unit was considered to justify the adoption of a new name for the series, SS Cars boss William Lyons later recalling ‘I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me.’ (‘Jaguar’ would be adopted as the marque name in 1943, ‘SS’ having by then acquired a somewhat tarnished reputation.)
‘SS’ originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, the design being the work of Walmsley’s partner, one William Lyons. Relocation to Coventry followed and the Swallow range expanded to include models on Morris Cowley, Wolseley Hornet and Standard Sixteen chassis. Marque status arrived in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1, the chassis of which was supplied exclusively to Swallow by Standard, who also provided the six-cylinder sidevalve engine and four-speed gearbox. Although unspectacular in performance, the SS1 went some way towards establishing the pattern for future Jaguars,
By the time the SS90 sports car arrived in 1935, William Heynes had joined as Chief Engineer. Based on a shortened SS1 chassis, re-engineered by Heynes, the SS90 again demonstrated Lyons’ consummate skill as a stylist, its long bonnet, smoothly flowing wings, cut-away doors and truncated tail making it every inch the epitome of the 1930s sports because. Although good for 90mph, the SS90 was handicapped by the limitations of its sidevalve engine, a deficiency that would soon be rectified by another of Lyons’ new recruits, gas-flow consultant Harry Weslake. Launched in 1936 alongside the 2?-Liter saloon, the SS100 Jaguar sports car marked the company’s first use of the ‘Jaguar’ name. Beautifully styled in the manner of its SS90 predecessor, the newcomer employed a shorter, 102 ?-wheelbase chassis and a revised version of the 2,663cc Standard six which,
Although a fine touring car, the SS100 was marketed as primarily for competition work. Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife, won the arduous International Alpine Trial in 1936, beating Bugatti and bringing the fledgling marque to the attention of the Continental public. This would be the first of many successful rallying forays, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938, and the Alpine (outright) again in 1948. Around 198 2?-Liter and 116 of the later 3?-Liter cars had been made by the time SS 100 production was prematurely ended by the outbreak of war.
The SS100 we offer was dispatched from the works on 22nd March 1939 and sold new via the Appleyard motor dealership in Leeds, finished in Gunmetal with contrasting red leather trim. According to Jaguar authority Terry Larson, before delivery to first owner DE Cockcroft the car was raced at Brooklands by the supplying dealer himself, well-known privateer Ian Appleyard, and later received a Mk V type engine (almost indistinguishable save for the ‘Jaguar’ script on its side where ‘SS’ had previously been applied). Post-war the car was exported to Switzerland where it was owned by architect Artur Peter of Luzern and then Serge Chabbey of Zurich, who commissioned a comprehensive restoration by HR Hofmann & Co., also of Zurich. Acquired by the present owner in 2006,
The SS100 was one of the fastest and best-handling sports cars of its day, as its competition record both before and after the war bears witness. Representing an opportunity to acquire a well documented and keenly priced example of the model that can be said to have started the Jaguar legend, ‘49057’ is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic motor sport events, including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Le Mans Retro, Colorado Grand, California Mille and many, many more.
Chassis ‘49057’ is offered with a substantial leather embossed history file including Swiss registration, copious restoration bills and its old UK license plate (‘DAK 141’). Local taxes will be liable if it remains in Europe; Bonhams is happy to assist with formalities including application for the reduced import rate for historic cars (5.5% in France, 5% in the UK) if required.
Saleroom notices
Import Low Rate re JCG
Photo: original-49057-01 to 05
Source: Facebook
11th September 2020
This stunning and exceptionally rare SS100 was brought in by the customer reporting strange noises from the gearbox. On closer examination, we concluded that the noise was not the gearbox but was in fact coming from the rear axle. On getting the car up on the ramp excessive play was found in the differential but only in one area and so the strip down began. On dismantling the differential, we found that three teeth had been sheered off the crown wheel and there was corresponding damage to the pinion. Further investigation is required to ascertain the cause but it looks like there may be issues with the bearings.
Jaguar used a very similar ENV rear axle in the SS100 and in the XK120. As such, we have extensive experience with which to approach this rebuild. However, parts for the SS100 are scarce and hard to come by. We will follow this rebuild as it progresses in the coming weeks.
Photo: original-49057-06
Source: FlickR
SS100 Jaguar (Pre war) B1001091
Taken on September 7, 2018
Roy Cousins 2y
1939 SS Jaguar 100 3? litre (chassis 49057).
Originally Gunmetal Grey.
The engine was replaced with a post-war version of the same type.
Comprehensively restored in Zurich for a previous owner.
Photo: original-49057-07