1938 SS Cars SS 100 Roadster

Introduced in 1936, the SS100 3.0-Litre sports car represented the pinnacle of prewar performance from the Coventry-based British automaker SS Cars Ltd. - the marque that would later become Jaguar Cars. The SS100 united a powerful 3.0-liter sedan engine with a lightweight roadster body weighing just 2,610 pounds - thereby creating a high-performance, ultra-lithe sports car. The model's name hinted at its theoretical top speed of 100 mph, and zero to 60 mph was possible in a brisk 10 seconds.

This particular car was originally sold to a bicycle company, Parker's of Bolton, in England, then exported to the United States in 1962 by Eugene Faust. It was sold to the well-known antique dealers, the Keno family, and remained in their care for 40 years. Eventually, this splendid SS100 was purchased by K. Clendenning, an active member of the Jaguar Club, and it found its way to Tom and Gwen Price in 2021.

This SS 100 was delivered through the Parker's Bolton agency in Manchester, England, in 1938. It would spend the first 24 years of its life in the United Kingdom, before coming into the care of Eugene Faust, who brought it to New York in 1962. It remained with Faust for seven years and during that time received a restoration. Its original engine, number M 545 E, had been replaced with number M 499E earlier in its life. During the restoration, Faust replaced the original fenders, but they are still with the car as spare parts.

Ron Keno of Mohawk, New York purchased the car in 1969 and kept it for many years, driving it only during the summer and fall seasons.

The car was painted gunmetal gray for much of its life. It has recently been repainted a dark blue with a red leather interior.

In 2009, this SS 100 Roadster was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000 and offered without reserve. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for the sum of $341,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009