1938 SS Cars SS 100 Roadster

A name can foster all kinds of emotions. In the days immediately following the conclusion of the Second World War, 'SS' certainly didn't conjure up many happy memories for many Europeans including the British. Instead, 'Jaguar' was born.

Prior to World War II, what has become known as Jaguar was known as SS Cars Ltd. The company was based in Coventry, England. The company had gotten its start as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1934 but would quickly grow out of that to become a maker of small, 2-door sports cars. This suited the company rather well as many of the small British sports cars of the era weren't all that much bigger than some of the sidecars the coachbuilder had manufactured.

One of the last sports cars to be produced before the outbreak of the war for England would be one that would be offered at this year's RM Auctions in Monterey, California. The car was the SS100 and it was built between 1936 and 1940.

The SS100 was a successor of the SS90, a popular model that would come with a 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine. And while their appearance was stunning with its long, narrow nose and sweeping fenders that incorporated into running boards, the performance was lacking greatly, and therefore, was not well received by all.

The SS100 was meant to change that. By 1938, the car was coming with an overhead-valve, 3.5-liter straight-six. When combined with twin SU carburetors, power increased from 70 bhp with the 2.5-liter edition, to 125 bhp with the 3.5-liter engine. This gave the car a top speed of 101 mph and a zero to 60 time of just 10.4 seconds.

Not only was the SS100 the first to take SS Cars Ltd. up to 100 mph, it would also be the first time in which the 'Jaguar' would be seen on a car. This would help set the tone for the company and for its future. While the SS100 wasn't the only car the company offered, with its improved performance, it certainly would be the only one in which most people would really care about.

This particular SS100 would be delivered, with its elegant design giving the effect of its narrow, rectangular nose seemingly splashing through water, to Lt. Col. A.W. Tate in England. Given the fact that many such cars would be taken to auxiliary airfields on days off and used for impromptu racing, it is believed this chassis also saw some time driving in some amateur races.

Such cars were not of much importance during the war as they would likely end up personal vehicles, or stored away. Therefore, not a whole lot is known about the car before it emerges once again in 1964.

At that time, the car would appear heading to the United States and a Jaguar enthusiast Ken Gardner. Upon receiving the car, Gardner would have the car enlisted in a comprehensive restoration. Immediately upon completion the car would be entered at the 1970 Indianapolis Grand Classic where it would earn the victory in the Primary Foreign Class. With a victory under its belt, the car would end up moving on to Floyd Moore of Glenview, Illinois. Things got even better for 39048 as it would go on to earn an AACA National First Prize.

Such a successful car could not be easily parted with and Moore would end up holding onto the car from 1970 until 1984 when he would sell it to Bernard Nevoral of Chicago. The purchase would make the SS100 part of Nevoral's private collection of classic sporting cars. The car would not merely sit there and look good. It would end up taking part in a number of vintage rallies and other events.

In 2010, the car would go through a body-off-frame restoration completed by Jeff's Resurrections of Taylor, Texas. The car would end up finished in correct blue with red leather interior. The car would also come complete with a historical file containing registrations, prior title documents, a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate and numerous other fascinating materials.

An early 3.5-liter SS100, this car remains in a special place in Jaguar history as it is just one of 118 SS100s to be built before the company had to transition over to manufacturing for military purposes. With such a lively, successful history, and yet, a not so welcomed association with the German SS, this SS100 would go on to earn $687,500 at this year's auction.

Sources:
'Lot No. 235: 1938 Jaguar SS100 3.5-liter Roadster', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r187&Currency=USD). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r187&Currency=USD. Retrieved 29 August 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, 'SS 90', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 1 May 2011, 16:47 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_90&oldid=426911653 accessed 29 August 2011

Wikipedia contributors, 'SS Cars Ltd', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 August 2011, 10:18 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_Cars_Ltd&oldid=446465679 accessed 29 August 2011

Wikipedia contributors, 'Jaguar SS100', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 July 2011, 15:07 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaguar_SS100&oldid=440130579 accessed 29 August 2011

By Jeremy McMullen