1937 SS Cars 100 SS

The SS100 was SS Cars Limited's first real high-performance model, following a similar design to its predecessor, the SS 90, but with a revised radiator, a Le Mans-type fuel tank, and new Lucas QK596 headlamps (the 1937 models used large-diameter Lucas P100 units). Launched in 1936, it used a new Weslake-developed overhead-valve engine in a shortened SS1 chassis. 'SS' was short for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. In 1926 they branched out into motor manufacturing with its earliest success being a sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis. In October of 1931, they achieved marque status with the introduction of the SS1. Standard exclusively supplied the chassis, six-cylinder side-valve engine, and four-speed gearbox.

William Heynes had joined as Chief Engineer by the time the SS90 sports car arrived in 1935. Using a shortened SS1 chassis, re-engineered by Heynes, the SS90 wore styling by William Lyons with a long bonnet, cut-away doors, and truncated tail. The side-valve engine provided enough power to give the SS90 a top speed of 90 mph. In 1936 the SS100 Jaguar sports car was introduced and marked the company's first use of the 'Jaguar' name. It was built alongside the 2½-Litre saloon and rested on a shortened, 102-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by a revised version of the 2,663cc Standard six which, equipped with Harry Weslake's overhead-valve cylinder head and fitted with twin SU carburetors, developed just over 100 horsepower.

In 1936, an SS 100 driven by Tommy Wisdom (and crewed by his wife) won the International Alpine Trial, the first of many successful rallying forays, including class victories in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938. In 1948, it won the overall victory at the Alpine.

During its production lifespan, which was prematurely ended by the outbreak of war, around 198 examples of the 2.5-Litre and 116 of the later 3.5-Litre cars were built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2020