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1937 SS Cars 100 SS Roadster

  • Chassis Number: 18081
  • Registration Number: BWX 243
The sports car that earned Jaguar its name, this SS100 was built by Swallow Sports, SS Cars in 1937. When 'SS' became infamous under the Nazis, this was no longer acceptable after the war -thus a new name for the company in 1945 - Jaguar. The SS100 designation came from Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons for the recorded speed of 100 mph, a tradition later used to name the post-war Jaguar XK 120, XK 140 and XK 150. This SS100 bears the original license plate - BWX 243 from its Yorkshire delivery in April 1937. Production was brought to an end by World War II just a year later.
The Swallow Sidecar Company began its life building motorcycle sidecars. When partners William Walmsley and William Lyons began building bodies on the Austin 7, it became the Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company. Eventually, the sidecar business was dropped altogether. A new car was introduced in 1931, using a custom chassis from the Standard Motor Company, resulting in the SS1. By 1934, the firm was called S.S. Cars Ltd. The SS1 was followed by the SSII, and then the SS90, and finally the SS100, built between 1937 and 1941. Approximately 309 examples of the SS100 were built before the war ended production.

The SS100 'Jaguar' was a very capable performer. The 3.5-liter overhead valve engine was introduced in 1938, and many of the 2.5-liter cars were later uprated to this new engine.

This SS100 car still retains its North Yorkshire license plate, BWX 243, and documents dating back to the original owner, A.C. Crowther, of Harrogate, who bought it on April 13, 1937. Two more UK owners would care for the car before it was exported to the United States. The car was owned by a Mr. Brown of New Albany, Ohio, J.S. Volmer, of La Grange, Illinois, and George Stauffer of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.

Kathy and Jerry Nell were the car's next owners. They had it restored in 1984 with the intention of showing the car. The Nells competed in 28 JCNA concours events between 1986 and 2000, winning national class trophies in the process. The car also appeared at Meadow Brook in 1988, Pebble Beach in 1999, the CCCA Grand Classic, the Chicago International Concours, and Masterpieces of Style and Speed in 2008.

The current owners acquired the car from the Nells. The car is powered by an overhead valve six-cylinder 3.5-liter engine with dual SU carburetors. There is a Moss four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale by RM Auctions at their Monterey, CA sale. The car was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $375,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $352,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012

2012 RM Auctions - Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $375,000 
Sale Price :
USD $352,000

2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $225,000-USD $275,000 
Sale Price :
USD $286,000

1937 SS Cars 100 SS Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the SS Cars 100 SS

(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 JAGUAR SS100 2 1/2 LITRE
Chassis#: 18051
Sold for USD$218,455
  2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction
 
1937 JAGUAR SS 100 ROADSTER RE-CREATION
Chassis#: NY30877
Sold for USD$5,720
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1937 JAGUAR SS 100 ROADSTER RE-CREATION
Chassis#: 1RMBB6114HF000476
Sold for USD$11,000
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1937 JAGUAR SS 2½-LITRE DROPHEAD COUPÉ
Chassis#: 46001
Sold for USD$90,852
  2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
 
1937 SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Tourer
Chassis#: 19098
Sold for USD$201,600
  2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 39011
Sold for USD$277,165
  2020 RM Sothebys : Paris
 
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 18114
Sold for USD$242,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 Jaguar SS100 2½-LITER ROADSTER
Chassis#: 18072
Sold for USD$329,500
  2019 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1937 Jaguar SS100 3½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 39007
Sold for USD$823,824
  2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival
 
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 18116
Sold for USD$294,885
  2018 RM Sothebys : Monaco
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 Jaguar SS Saloon (2½ litre)
Chassis#: 13198
Sold for USD$54,418
  2017 Historics at Brooklands-Motor Museum
 
1937 Jaguar SS 100 2 1/2 Litre
Chassis#: 49026
Sold for USD$561,000
  2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 SS Jaguar 2 1/2-Litre OHV Tourer
Chassis#: 19098
Sold for USD$330,000
  2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Pacific Grove Auction
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 18124
Sold for USD$319,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 Jaguar SS 100 2 ½ litre
Chassis#: 18065
Sold for USD$500,446
  2015 Coys Auction - The Spirit of Motoring, Ascot
 
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 18107
Sold for USD$429,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
 
1937 Jaguar SS100 Replica Roadster
Sold for USD$3,900
  2015 Leake Auction - Tulsa, OK
 
1937 Jaguar SS100 Replica Roadster
Sold for USD$10,750
  2015 Leake Auction - Tulsa, OK
 
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Chassis#: 18114
Sold for USD$484,000
  2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS image  
1937 JAGUAR 2½-LITRE ROADSTER
Chassis#: 18064
Sold for USD$355,635
  2014 The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
 

SS Cars 100 SSs That Failed To Sell At Auction

1937 SS Cars 100 SS's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Two-seater Sports180502022 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $450,000$550,000
1937 JAGUAR SS 100 3½-LITRE SPORTS TOURER180662021 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $200,000$300,000
1937 JAGUAR SS100 2½-LITRE ROADSTER181092021 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival : Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia $320,000$380,000
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster181162018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $400,000$500,000
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster181142017 RM Sothebys : Monterey $400,000$500,000
1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster181232014 RM Auctions Paris$275,000$300,000$360,000
1937 Jaguar SS100 2 ½ Litre180842011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace $175,000$220,000
1937 Jaguar SS 100 2½ Litre Roadster181162011 RM Auctions Salon Privé$170,000$200,000$230,000
1937 Jaguar 100 SS 2007 Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia $380,000$430,000
1937 Jaguar SS 100 Convertible Replica 2002 Toronto International Fall Classic Car Auction$15,000  

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1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle thumbnail image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle thumbnail image  
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1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle thumbnail image  1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle thumbnail image  
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1937 SS Cars 100 SS

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other SS Cars 100 SS model years

1937 SS Cars 100 SS Vehicle Profiles

1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18116
Engine #: P36
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Tourer
Chassis #: 19098
Engine #: 251080
Gearbox #: 1627
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18124
Engine #: 250798
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18114
Engine #: 252590
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18105
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18081
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 49026
Engine #: L1012E
1937 SS Cars 100 SS vehicle information
Roadster
Chassis #: 18075