Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935 - World Of Classic Cars -

Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935

In 1922 the Swallow Sidecar Company was formed by William Lyons and William Walmsley. Initially producing sidecars for the post-World War I austerity transport market, by 1927 the firm had produced its first motor car body, on an Austin Seven chassis, and became the Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company. Soon renowned for brightly-coloured, stylish coachwork, the company began producing a range of bodies for fitment to various makes and by the end of 1928 the factory had moved to Coventry to be nearer the motor manufacturers.

Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935

By 1931 Lyons was wanting to manufacture a car of his own. Making a deal with Standard, a customer of Swallow, Lyons received four- and six-cylinder Standard chassis onto which he fitted his distinctive sports coupé coachwork. The four-cylinder car was known as the SS2, whilst the larger six-cylinder model was the SS1. The early SS1s suffered from chassis flex and other more minor problems, so from 1932 a redesigned, longer wheelbase chassis was used. This was underslung at the rear and allowed Lyons’s creativity to thrive.

Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935

The SS cars immediately established a reputation as being stylish, good performers at a very reasonable price. Further models were added to the range so that, in addition to the original sports coupés, four-seater tourers and saloons were available and then later a fashionable Airline saloon. In 1935 a larger 2,663cc engine was introduced, known as the 2.5-litre, which produced 104bhp. Also a new series of sports cars was launched, starting with the SS90 (the ‘90’ denoting the maximum speed) which evolved into the SS100 which, when fitted with a 3.5-litre engine, was capable of 100 miles per hour. The SS100, marketed with the Jaguar name, became a success in international competition and cemented the firm’s reputation, whilst providing the foundations for the success of Jaguar cars in the future.

Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935

The car presented here was originally delivered by Henlys of London in May 1935 as a 2.5-litre SS1 Airline saloon. At some point in the car’s life, the saloon body was removed and replaced with sporting two-seater coachwork, various chassis and suspension modifications were made, and a 3.5-litre SS100 engine was fitted. Little is known of the car’s early history in this form, but it was used on the Continent in competition of various kinds. Purchased by Abba Kogan in 1991, this car was restored, at a cost of more than US$100,000, by Auto Restorations in New Zealand during 1993 and 1994, and was subsequently raced there by its owner.

Jaguar SS1 Sports Roadster 1935

The metallic dark red coachwork is in good overall condition and is fitted with impressive P100 headlamps with stoneguards, together with twin horns. In period style, the spare wheel is mounted on the offside and the screen can be folded flat. Inside, the period bucket seats are trimmed in black leather to match the black carpets, dashboard, and tonneau cover. The dashboard is fitted with a set of correct, but new, SS100 instruments whilst the steering wheel looks original. As concessions to modernity, safety, and comfort, the car has been fitted with telescopic shock absorbers, an alternator, an electric cooling fan and a discreetly-mounted power steering unit.