Description
Source: H and H
1936 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre
Lot 65 (The Pavilion Gardens, 13th April 2011)
Estimated at £120,000 – £140,000
Lot details
Registration No: BSS 100
Chassis No: 18016
Mot Expiry: March 2013
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is withdrawn from the 19th April 2012 aution.
“An outstanding feature recalled of the SS was that, whilst one felt sufficiently at home in it from the beginning, there came a stage, after perhaps a couple of hundred miles, where one suddenly found a great deal more in the car than there had seemed to be at first-not so much in sheer performance as in confidence in it” (Autocar road testing the SS 100).
Among the first of William Lyons’ creations to utilise the Jaguar name, the SS Jaguar 100 entered pre-production in October 1935. Although derived from its SS 90 predecessor, the newcomer benefited from a host of mechanical and stylistic improvements. Based around a cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, rod-operated Girling drum brakes and an underslung back axle, the rakish two-seater was powered by a 2663cc straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission (with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears). Developed by Harry Weslake, its cross-flow overhead valve cylinder head was fed via twin SU carburettors (rather than twin RAG ones). Credited with developing some 104bhp @ 4,600rpm, the ‘2.5 litre’ SS 100 was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 12.8 seconds and 96 mph. Treated to a revised shock absorber set-up, enhanced steering gear and new Dunlop wire wheels, it went faster and handled better than any previous SS model. Dynamically honed by chief engineer William Heynes and marketed as being `primarily intended for competition work and sufficiently tractable as a fast tourer without modification’, the first Jaguar sports car enjoyed a successful racing / rallying career including victories on the 1936 International Alpine Trial, 1937 RAC Rally (manufacturer’s team prize) and 1948 Alpine Rally.
From September 1937 onwards customers could specify a larger 3485cc engine which also boasted a stiffer chrome-iron crankcase, six individual exhaust ports and steel connecting rods. More powerful (125bhp @ 4,500rpm), it allowed the SS 100 to sprint from 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds and on to 101mph. Among the most revered of all pre-WW2 sports cars, the Jaguar allied class leading performance to jaw-dropping aesthetics. Styled by Sir William Lyons, there was a confidence to its lines which belied the fact the SS Cars Ltd concern was only five years old. From its extravagant front wings that peaked almost level with the low bonnet line to its sharply sloping tail (complete with prominent spare wheel and fuel filler) via a pronounced dual-cowl dashboard, the two-seater mixed musculature and flamboyance in equal measure. Disarmingly compact for all its curves, the Jaguar employed an 8ft 8in wheelbase, 4ft 6in track and weighed in at a lithe 23cwt. Essentially hand built, the SS 100 was very much a halo model intended to add prestige and boost showroom traffic. A true motoring icon, it remained in production until September 1939 by which time some 191 2.5 litre and 118 3.5 litre cars are thought to have been ordered.
With demand far outstripping supply, the Coventry manufacturer was able to pick and choose the recipients of its new sports car. For instance chassis number 18015 went to Captain John Black of Standard Motors (without whom it could be argued Jaguar would never have existed), while this particular example – chassis number 18016 – was supplied new via Henlys of London to W. Roberts Esq. A keen motorist, Mr Roberts contested the 1936 RAC and Blackpool Rallies. Driving an open SS 20hp Tourer on the former event he won a first class award (a performance which may or may not have helped him secure a SS 100). Originally road registered by Devon County Council as `AOD 951′ on June 4th 1936, it is not known how long Roberts kept the Jaguar. Though, an accompanying continuation buff logbook shows that the sports car had migrated to Scotland by 1960. Belonging to Robert Wilson Esq. of Kirriemuir (Angus) at the time, chassis 18016 subsequently passed through the hands of Cecil Hampstead Esq. of Wraysbury (Buckinghamshire) and Peter J. Nye Esq. of Purley (Surrey) before entering the current ownership some thirty-five years ago. Mr Hampstead was responsible for re-registering the Jaguar as `BSS 100′ on June 14th 1972, while Mr Nye treated it to an extensive `ground up’ restoration which included the fitting of a new aluminium body (trying to salvage original panels once they have been prised off an SS 100’s ash frame is often futile).
During his custodianship the vendor has used the two-seater to explore mainland Britain and Continental Europe with trips to Scotland, Wales, Holland, France, Germany and Austria. Although no longer as smart as when it was displayed at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham in 1984 and won `1st Prize’ as part of Classic Cars magazine’s `Car of the Show’ competition, the Jaguar nevertheless exudes a pleasing patina. Finished in Dark Blue with Red leather upholstery and presenting as an older restoration, the SS 100 is described by the seller as being in “good” condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, bodywork and paintwork. Rating the interior trim as “fair”, he further informs us that “the car has been unfailingly reliable during my ownership never breaking down on any of its many tours while others fell by the wayside!” Comprising a correct type but replacement pre-WW2 `SS’ cylinder block allied to a performance enhancing post-WW2 cylinder head, the powerplant boasts the further advantages of a Kenlowe electric cooling fan and unleaded fuel conversion. Sporting a hood, sidescreens and rear-mounted luggage grid, chassis 18016 has enjoyed numerous outings with the Jaguar Drivers Club – its last one being a tour of the Cotswolds in May 2010. Offered for sale from long-term ownership, this delightful and notably early SS 100 (production began with chassis 18001) was displayed at the 2011 Techno Classica Essen show and is accompanied by a MOT certificate valid until March 2013.
Benefiting from a programme of detail work and general fettling by renowned SS Jaguar specialist David Davenport of Davenport Cars over the past year, `BSS 100′ started readily upon inspection and ran well during a brief test drive. Recognised by Alan Gibbins of the Jaguar Drivers Club whilst at Mr Davenport’s premises, the car has been a familiar sight within UK SS100 circles for many years.
Photo: original-18106-001
Source: FlickR
Roy Cousins
1936 SS Jaguar 100 2½-Litre
JEC Brooklands – Sunday 23rd August 2015
Taken on August 23, 2015
This early SS100 was the 16th chassis built (18016).
Photo: original-18106-002 to 006