Lot details Registration No: SMH 993 Chassis No: T.B.A. Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
William Lyons initially made streamlined aluminium-bodied sidecars with William Walmsley in Blackpool, where their Swallow Sidecar soon diversified into building car bodies for other car makers, with their first Swallow Austin Seven, before a move to larger premises in Coventry. Soon, Swallow bodies were being fitted to rolling chassis not only from Austin, but also from Morris, Fiat, Wolseley, Swift and Standard. The Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company's first SS1 and SS2 coupe models of their own, albeit powered by Standard engines, were shown at the 1931 Olympia Motor Show.
Doing much to put the firm on the international map was an SS 2½-litre open tourer. The six-cylinder, pushrod-operated, overhead-valve engine was actually of 2664cc capacity with fuel supplied by twin SU carburettors and the four-speed gearbox had synchromesh on second, third and top gear. Handling had been enhanced by semi-elliptic springs, though the Girling brakes were still mechanically operated. The SS90 sports of 1935 had a shorter chassis and a slab tank and would do 90mph, the SS100 2½ roadster that followed became the model to beat on international rallies with the 3½ version introduced in 1938 even more effective.
With the outbreak of the Second World War however, the then Swallow Sidecars and their SS badge were understandably dumped in favour of Jaguar, which actually had first appeared on an SS 2½-litre saloon in September 1935. While car production was halted during hostilities, Jaguar Cars started making cars in earnest again in bombed out Coventry commencing with sports saloons in 1945. All three of the first post-war Jags were initially powered by the Standard Vanguard engines, albeit converted from side to overhead valve layout. But it was the 3½-litre, the engine specially produced for Jaguar by Standard, that became the flagship of the range in the immediate post-war years.
In terms of appearance and performance, the ultimate SS is generally reckoned to have been the pre-war SS100. This very well executed recreation of an SS100 has been replicated using 1938 factory drawings as a guide during the build. With Jack Buckley crafted coachwork, the 3½ right-hand drive roadster was completed in 1990, the SMH 993 registration dating from 1947. To achieve as much authenticity as possible, many pre-war components were sourced from all over the country, although the gearbox is a post-war Moss manual unit with four-speeds and the desirable addition of an overdrive.
According to the vendor, the current condition of the chassis is good with open two-door bodywork and paintwork in Aqua Green also said to be good. Instrumentation is claimed to be nice and period correct, and all weather gear intact. Wire wheels, complete with appropriate SS spinners, and tyres are said to be good as is the two-seater interior which has been trimmed in black leather. Reportedly also in good order are 3½-litre six-cylinder pushrod engine, transmission and electrical equipment. It clearly works well, for we are told that the car has been successfully rallied both in the UK and on the Continent.
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