Description
Source: Car and Classic
. Historic Technical Passport.
. Period Competition History.
. Matching Numbers.
. Competition Engine.
The SS100 was the first real high performance model produced by SS Cars Ltd 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 then taken on a more sinister connotation.
Launched in 1936 alongside the 2.5 Litre 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, equipped with Weslake’s overhead-valve cylinder head breathing through twin SU carburettors, now produced 104bhp.
Although a fine touring car the SS100 was marketed primarily for competition work. Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife, won the arduous Internationale 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 racing forays, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938.
This 1937 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre Period Competition Car shown here (Chassis No. 18105), affectionately known as ‘DYL’, and offered exclusively by Autostorico Ltd, is one of only 198 made prior to the outbreak of war when SS100 production prematurely ended. Sold new to Bob Truett in 1937 factory upgrades included a special works engine, bronze coated cylinder head, high compression pistons, polished Dural con-rods, Fescol crankshaft and Scintilla magneto. With Bob’s considerable lightening of the chassis by way of bored holes in the main rails the car was quicker than some of the 3.5 Litres it raced against. Probably the most successful competition SS100 the car comes with a period Brooklands history. In addition the original race trophies were recently donated back to the car by the Truett family and reside back with DYL. In 2013 DYL was converted to current FIA Historic race specification including an all steel competition engine. Both the original (matching numbers) engine and this newer competition specification version are included in the sale. DYL is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic motor sports events including the Mille Miglia, Classic Le-Mans, Goodwood to name but a few.
The SS100 was one of the fastest and best handling sports cars of its day, as DYL’s competition record can verify. A rare and outstanding opportunity to acquire an early example of the model that became the Jaguar legend.
Supplied with a comprehensive history file including; photographic records of resoration, period photographs, numerous invoices and related material and its Historic Technical Passport.
Viewing strictly by appointment only.
Price POA
Ad Type For Sale
Category Classic Cars
Make Jaguar
Model SS100
SS100 2.5 Litre
Year 1937
Mileage 16,609 miles
Country UK
Region Oxfordshire
Telephone 01628 246772
Status Trade
E-mail
Date 01-Jul-2019
Ref C1128560
Source: Car and Classic
1937 Jaguar SS 100 – Still Racing
By Chris Pollitt
November 11, 2019
Jaguar SS100, Jaguar, SS100, Jaguar Racing, classic car, vintage car, motoring, automotive, Classic Jaguar, Retro Jagyuar, Brooklands, motorsport, classic motorsport, carandclassic, carandclassic.co.uk
The rigours of racing make for, in most cases, a limited life expectancy. Admittedly, things are a little safer now, but back in, say, 1937 from when this Jaguar SS100 harks, motorsport was more dangerous. Many drivers almost proudly explained that if it all went wrong, they would be thrown from the vehicle. Yes, not wearing a seatbelt was the height of safety. Apparently.
Staying in the era of the Jaguar above, there were other life limiting factors. The fumes, the physical demands, the brandy, the chain smoking. It was a perilous business. However, perilous though it may have been for the men and women of the sport, it was nothing compared to what the cars had to go through.
Walk through a modern pit garage and you will be faced with computer this, digital that and laser-cut the other. The modern race car is a magnet for cutting-edge technology. The screwdrivers and hammers barely get a look in. Back in the Jaguar’s day, all you had was a big hammer and an even bigger bloke to swing it. It was not a refined sport.
As such, the cars had exceptionally hard lives. They were beaten hard out on track, and when they came into the pits, they were hit with hammers until they went out again. Being a race car was and still is a hard job. And that’s the life expectancy we are referring to. Not the ‘best before’ date selected for the mustachioed driver by the Reaper. No, we’re talking about the worrying speed with which a race car can end up in the scrap yard.
Cars like this wonderful, and frankly jaw-dropping 1937 Jaguar SS100 are cars that don’t generally survive. Certainly, many of its peers haven’t. This one has though, and it’s better than ever. So presumably it was built, raced once or twice and then pampered until now, right? Wrong, actually. This car has lived a life of hardcore motorsport campaigning, and more than that, it’s still got plenty competitive spirit left to give. It’s remarkable.
The Jaguar SS 100 was built from 1936 through 1939 and was the first sports car to bear the Jaguar name. Prior to this name, which William Lyons fell for given the impact, Jaguar was actually the Swallow Sidecar company. As the name would suggest, its main business was that of building sidecars. However, over the years, it branched into building complete cars, which would see the company evolve into SS Cars Ltd. However, as the Second World War unfolded, the unfortunate connotations of being called SS couldn’t be ignored, and so the Jaguar name was phased in. It was first used on an SS saloon car in 1935, before being included in the name of the SS100 later.
The SS100 was an out-and-out sports car and was built with competition in mind. The 100 in its name was a nod to both the theoretical top speed of 100mph, and also the 100bhp generated by the then cutting-edge overhead valve, six-cylinder 2.5 litre engine. The Standard-derived engine was heavily re-worked for the project. As mentioned, the valves were moved from the side to being overhead, a new cylinder head was designed by William Heynes and Harry Welake and it was fitted with twin SU carbs that were bolted directly to the cylinder head. It was a serious bit of kit.
Unusually for a car of this era, the car was built body and all. In fact, only a handful of SS100s were supplied as ‘chassis only’ cars. This is no doubt because SS, with its history of coachbuilding, was more than capable of building its own bodies. And it was wise to do just that, as the car is still considered to be one of the most attractive automobiles of the era.
Despite its pace, its power and its drop-dead gorgeous looks, only 198 SS100s were built with the 2.5 engine. Production was sadly and abruptly brought to a halt by the war, never to restart.
So what of this particular car? Well, Jaguar had hoped it would find a home in the world competition, and it did. Just a bit sooner than anticipated. The car was sold new to a Bob Truett in 1937, though Bob had no intention of ordering a standard car. Instead, he insisted the engine be a Works item consisting of a bronze-coated cylinder head, high compression pistons, polished Dural con-rods, Fescol crankshaft and Scintilla magneto. Beefy spec. And Bob wasn’t done. When he took delivery of the car he lightened it significantly by cutting bore holes in the main rails of the car. Countersunk to ensure rigidity, they had no detrimental effect on the dynamics of the car.
The end result was a machine that could outperform the 125bhp 3.5 litre models, and outperform it did. The car was campaigned regularly and hard, with events at Brooklands making up a significant chunk of DYL’s history. Sprints, trails and anything else the SS100 could compete in were attacked and dominated, as evidenced by the car’s impressive collection of trophies the Truett family has passed on with the car.
You’d think that would be enough, but no. In 2013, DYL was converted to current FIA specification, including an all-steel competition engine (but don’t fret, as the original engine is still with the car). The new FIA certification means that this Jaguar SS’s future is one that can still enjoy as much competition as its current owner sees fit. Classic Le Mans, Goodwood, Mille Miglia – DYL is eligible for them all.
This is a truly fascinating car, and one that has survived despite being in the hardest line of work for a car. But perhaps that’s the moral here? Is regular, spirited use of such a car the key to keeping it active, to keeping it young? It certainly seems that way, as this old beauty has no intention of becoming a museum piece just yet.
Huge thanks to Autostorico for letting us photograph this stunning machine. Having now found a new home, this SS100 is off the books. However, do have a look at what Autostorico has in stock, as there is always a wonderful collection of classics available.
Source: FlickR
Roy Cousins
1937 SS Jaguar 100 2½-Litre Period Competition Car
Brooklands Double Twelve – Saturday 17th June 2017
Purchased by C.E. Bob Truett on 1st June 1937. ‘DYL’ was raced and rallied by Bob and his elder brother Len, who acted as mechanic throughout the cars racing career. Bob kept the car until 1946.
1938 Lands End Trial (car no. 357) – Silver Award winner.
1938 Exeter Trial (car no. 315) – Silver Award winner.
1938 RAC Rally as part of the SS Car Club Team (car no. 165) placed 14th out of a class of 38.
1939 Cambridge University AC June Meeting at Donington Park (car no. 20) Relay Race winners.
Photos: original-18105-39 to 51
Source: FLickR
Taken on August 17, 2014
Photos: original-18105-52 to 54
Source: FlickR
1937 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre
JD Classics Mayfair London
Taken on April 2, 2016
Roy Cousins
Chassis 18105 competed in the 1938 RAC Rally with its original body, but by 1939 it had been stripped of it’s wings and running boards as it is today.
It looks similar to the stripped and modified factory racer, “Old No.8” (18008):
Photos: original-18105-55 to 64
Source: FlickR
Jaguar SS100 1937
Châssis n°18105
Taken on February 8, 2017
Added on 21st February 2021
Photo: original-18105-65
Source: FlickR
1937 Jaguar SS100 – fvl
2013 Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance, Beverly Hills, CA
Taken on May 5, 2013
Added on 21st February 2021
Photo: original-18105-66