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In 1934 William Walmsley, Chairman and Managing Director of SS Cars Ltd designed and had built a special SS for himself. It is built on a standard SS1 chassis and utilized the same car's 6-cylinder side valve engine but would be a true two-seater sports car with a disappearing convertible top and fold down windshield all to provide 'wind in your face' kind of motoring that Walmsley cherished from his motorcycle and Swallow Sidecar days.
This sleek new SS version, finished in Walmsley's favorite color, Olive green with matching Olive green leather interior, was completed in March 1934. True to his roots, Walmsley designed the body to be built out of aluminum, as were his beloved Swallow Sidecars. While utilizing the chassis of the SS1, the body was uniquely styled to reflect his own personal style and panache.
The Walmsley SS was cutting edge in many ways for 1934 - it came from the factory with chrome wire wheels, a very upmarket Ekco CR75 car radio and Andre Hartford adjustable shock absorber system; all very rare options to be found on any car of this period.
The significance of the Walmsley Roadster is not to be underestimated; it was the first sports car built by the company and its style set the standard for gracefully powerful sports cars for years to come. Further, the Walmsley Roadster ushered in the beginning of aluminum sports car production for SS Cars Ltd - later renamed Jaguar Cars - and helped establish the company as an industry leader in the use of the material.
The aluminum bodied Walmsley Roadster established a set of design queues that would be incorporated into future SS and Jaguar sports cars, including the SS90, SS1 Drop Head Coupe, SS100 and the post-war Jaguar XK120.
This car was likely among Walmsley's last designs under the SS roof. In 1935 Walmsley retired as Chairman and Managing Director leaving William Lyons, who later founded Jaguar Cars from SS, in charge.
The Walmsley SS1 Roadster essentially vanished from the known world until much later. Walmsley sold it to a US Army officer who brought it to America, in spring of 1956 when his tour of duty was up. In 1959, he sold it to a fellow officer. Both admired the car for what it was and both had dreams of restoring it to its former glory but it was not to be, at least not under their ownership.
40 years later, this unique, one-of-a-kind sports car was acquired and lovingly restored by the Beni Family of Westchester County, New York. Since most of those intervening years saw the car in storage in various stages of (dis) assembly, it was still complete down to its original engine, ash frame, alloy body and English registration plate KV 8011.
The 1934 SS1 Walmsley Roadster made its first and only public appearance at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours. After Amelia, the Walmsley Roadster returned to the most comprehensive private collection of pre-war SS Jaguars in the world.
This sleek new SS version, finished in Walmsley's favorite color, Olive green with matching Olive green leather interior, was completed in March 1934. True to his roots, Walmsley designed the body to be built out of aluminum, as were his beloved Swallow Sidecars. While utilizing the chassis of the SS1, the body was uniquely styled to reflect his own personal style and panache.
The Walmsley SS was cutting edge in many ways for 1934 - it came from the factory with chrome wire wheels, a very upmarket Ekco CR75 car radio and Andre Hartford adjustable shock absorber system; all very rare options to be found on any car of this period.
The significance of the Walmsley Roadster is not to be underestimated; it was the first sports car built by the company and its style set the standard for gracefully powerful sports cars for years to come. Further, the Walmsley Roadster ushered in the beginning of aluminum sports car production for SS Cars Ltd - later renamed Jaguar Cars - and helped establish the company as an industry leader in the use of the material.
The aluminum bodied Walmsley Roadster established a set of design queues that would be incorporated into future SS and Jaguar sports cars, including the SS90, SS1 Drop Head Coupe, SS100 and the post-war Jaguar XK120.
This car was likely among Walmsley's last designs under the SS roof. In 1935 Walmsley retired as Chairman and Managing Director leaving William Lyons, who later founded Jaguar Cars from SS, in charge.
The Walmsley SS1 Roadster essentially vanished from the known world until much later. Walmsley sold it to a US Army officer who brought it to America, in spring of 1956 when his tour of duty was up. In 1959, he sold it to a fellow officer. Both admired the car for what it was and both had dreams of restoring it to its former glory but it was not to be, at least not under their ownership.
40 years later, this unique, one-of-a-kind sports car was acquired and lovingly restored by the Beni Family of Westchester County, New York. Since most of those intervening years saw the car in storage in various stages of (dis) assembly, it was still complete down to its original engine, ash frame, alloy body and English registration plate KV 8011.
The 1934 SS1 Walmsley Roadster made its first and only public appearance at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours. After Amelia, the Walmsley Roadster returned to the most comprehensive private collection of pre-war SS Jaguars in the world.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1934 SS Cars SS1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the SS Cars SS1
(Data based on Model Year 1934 sales)
1934 S.S. Cars Ltd. SS 1 Chassis#: 247877 Sold for USD$224,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | |
1934 SS 1 2½-Litre Tourer Chassis#: 247877 Sold for USD$132,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Driving Into Summer | |
1934 SS1 2½-LITRE SPORTS SALOON Chassis#: 248788 Sold for USD$120,849 2015 Bonhams : The December Sale | |
1934 SS1 JAGUAR 20HP TOURER Coachwork by SS Cars Ltd Chassis#: 248110 Sold for USD$99,837 2013 COLLECTORS' MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA | |
1934 SS1 2,143cc Sports Saloon Chassis#: 248082 Sold for USD$78,039 2009 Bonhams - RAF Museum | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 Saloon Chassis#: 248082 Sold for USD$101,094 2006 Coys Auction - Fine Motor Cars & The Jaguar Legend | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 Coupe Chassis#: 248082 Sold for USD$86,592 2005 Bonhams - Les Grandes Marques a Monaco | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 4-Light Saloon Sold for USD$88,000 2002 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction |
SS Cars SS1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1934 SS Cars SS1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1934 SS1 16hp Fixed-Head Coupé | 248162 | 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 Tourer | 247991 | 2011 Shannons Auctions Australian International Motor Show Auction | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 Tourer | 247989 | 2009 Bonham Les Grandes Marques à Monaco | $80,000 | $100,000 | |
1934 Jaguar SS1 Tourer | 247989 | 2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | $65,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 |
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