Lot details
Registration No: DUV 71
Chassis No: 18054
Mot Expiry: June 2006

Despite a plethora of stunning British sports cars in the 1930s - think Bentley (3.5 litre / 4.25 litre), Lagonda (LG45 / LG6 / V12), Alvis (Speed 20 / 25 / 4.3) and Aston Martin (International / Ulster / 2 litre) etc - for many there was only one cat that got the proverbial cream. Launched in 1936, the Jaguar SS100 proved something of a bombshell in terms of looks, performance and price. Styled by Sir William Lyons, there was a confidence, even brashness, to its lines that belied the fact that the SS Cars 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, it mixed musculature and flamboyance in equal measure.

Based around a new generation SS chassis that featured an underslung rear axle, all round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel Girling drum brakes, it was surprisingly compact with an 8' 8" wheelbase and 4' 6" track. Suitably re-worked by W.M. Heynes and Harry Weslake, its Standard derived 2,664cc ohv straight-six engine was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox (with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th). Named after its power output (104bhp @4,500rpm) rather than top speed, the SS100 enjoyed a successful rallying career including victories in the 1936 International Alpine Trials event, 1937 RAC Rally and 1948 Alpine Rally. Accompanied by a sales brochure that claimed it was "primarily intended for competition work and sufficiently tractable to use as a fast tourer without modification", the SS100 carried a price tag of just £398. Available with a more powerful 3.5 litre unit from September 1937 onwards, the hand-built model occupied showrooms up until the outbreak of WW2 by which time 190 2.5 litre and 118 3.5 litre cars are thought to have been sold.

Finished in silver with black leather upholstery, this particular 2.5 litre example is described by the vendor as being in good condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres (though, we feel his assessment is somewhat pessimistic). Beginning life barely thirty miles from Cheltenham, DUV 71 had migrated to America by the time it entered the current ownership some twenty years ago. Supposedly treated to an engine rebuild (including Carillo con-rods etc) and brand new higher-geared / 3.5 litre-specification back axle while on the other side of the Atlantic, more recent work has seen it benefit from a repaint, retrim and general fettling.

Said to have covered "less than 1,000 miles since restoration", considerable effort went into locating items such as its correct-type Lucas QK596 headlights (sourced via a Sotheby's auction). Equipped with a black mohair hood, matching leather bound carpets, aero screens, spotlights and wire wheels, DUV 71's sporting credentials are underlined by the presence of a 'bronze' cylinder head atop its 'SS' emblazoned engine block. An extremely rare option, just eleven SS100s are thought to have been factory supplied with 'bronze' heads (however, it is unknown whether DUV 71 was originally among them). A lovely car that presents as well today as it did in any of the accompanying period photographs, it is offered for sale with a "huge documented file" (encompassing such gems as a purchase invoice dating from 1960 for £160), assorted photographs, V5C registration document, MOT certificate valid until June 20th 2006 and historic class (free) road tax until October 2006.

SALEROOM NOTICE

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE VENDOR THAT THE 'BRONZE' CYLINDER HEAD FITTED TO THIS CAR IS BRONZE-COATED AND NOT SOLID BRONZE. THE EXACT NUMBER OF SS100s CARRYING SUCH BRONZE-COATED CYLINDER HEADS IS UNKNOWN.