1935/38 SS 100 3½ Litre Special
Aluminium bodied Special with VSCC registration

Registration No: CGO 800
Chassis No: 249464
MOT: Exempt

• Built by marque specialists David Barber and Terry Rowing
• Hand built aluminium body on an original SS Airline chassis
• Fitted with a correct SS 100 engine and components
• Registered with the VSCC as an SS 100 Special since 1994
• Raced at numerous VSCC and BDC events since completion in 1994
• Kept immaculately maintained throughout

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 96mph. 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. Notably more powerful and torquey (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's appeal had as much to do with aesthetics as class-leading performance. Styled by Sir William Lyons, there was a confidence, even brashness, to its lines that belied the fact that 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 a sharply sloping tail (complete with prominent spare wheel and fuel filler) via the 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 190 2.5 litre and 118 3.5 litre cars are thought to have been sold.

The car offered here, while not an original SS 100, is as close to the real thing as one can get with a few improvements to make it even better. Commissioned by the current vendor in the early 1990’s, ‘CGO 800’, was built by marque specialist David Barber on a 1935 SS Airline chassis prepared to SS 100 specification by Terry Rowing, who subsequently sold his business to Suffolk Sportscars. Fitted with a correct 3.5 Litre SS Engine and components, this car is clothed in a fully hand built aluminium body and is registered as an SS 100 Special. Extensive documentation contained within the accompanying History File show correspondence between the vendor, David Barber and Terry Rowing with regards to the specification chosen, the design & build of the car and the process of registering the car with the DVLA and the VSCC. On the 7^th of February 1994 the VSCC accepted ‘CGO 800’ as a 1935/38 SS 100 Special and the car has been extensively and successfully raced at VSCC and BDC events ever since. Now presented in road running form and immaculately presented cosmetically and mechanically, this exceptional vehicle is offered with an extensive History File documenting the build of the car and all the subsequent expenditure lavished on it and should provide the new owner with a great addition to his or her collection with eligibility to a great number of events.

For more information, please contact:
Julian Pinkster
julian.pinkster@handh.co.uk
07889 223 904