1937 SS100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster

• Regarded as one of the most sought-after pre-war sports cars
• A highly thought-of example, it was despatched from the Blackpool factory on the 1st July 1937 and delivered through Henlys of London, to a Mr Head
• Exported to the US in 1955, it would spend the next 55 years in California in dutiful ownership, most prominently by Elliot A. Weiner, who kept the car for four decades and regularly displayed it at local shows
• Accompanied by a Jaguar Heritage Certificate, copies of assorted SS100 Registers and the original owner’s instruction book
• Several display plaques can be seen under the bonnet, as well as a competitor’s plaque from the 1956 Stockton Road Races
• The recipient of some cosmetic restoration in 2013 and a mechanical overhaul in 2019 by UK specialists Davenport Cars
• Featured in the SS100 Registry since 1971
• A splendid example of the revered sports roadster that gave rise to Jaguar Cars, it would be an ideal entrant for the Mille Miglia Retro or similar

In September 1935 SS launched their most advanced and significant new car, the first to carry the name Jaguar, though then not as the brand but as a model name - the 'SS Jaguar 2½-litre Saloon'. Standard manufactured a new chassis to SS design and a Standard 6-cylinder engine was re-engineered by Harry Weslake to an overhead valve design, which Standard then manufactured specifically for SS.

At this time, the company also produced their first true sports car named the 'SS Jaguar 100'. Beautifully styled in the manner of its SS90 predecessor, the newcomer employed a shorter, 102"-wheelbase chassis and a revised version of the 2,663cc Standard six which, equipped with Weslake's overhead-valve cylinder head and breathing through twin SU carburettors, now produced 104bhp.

Although a fine touring car, the SS100 was marketed as primarily for competition work. Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife, won the arduous International Alpine Trial in 1936, beating Bugatti and bringing the fledgling marque to the attention of the Continental public. This would be the first of many successful rallying forays, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938, and the Alpine (outright) again in 1948. Around 198 2½-Litre and 116 of the later 3½-Litre cars had been made by the time SS 100 production was prematurely ended by the outbreak of war.

The car presented here is a 1937 SS100 2½-Litre (chassis #18116) despatched from factory on the 1st July 1937 and was delivered via Henlys of London to a Mr Head. Like many SS100s, in 1955 the car was exported from England to the USA by Don Schoenert of North Hollywood and would spend the next 55 years in California. Mr Schoenert later sold the car to Bud R Fisher of Burbank and by the time of the earliest Classic Jaguar Association SS100 register, published in 1971, it was owned by Elliot Weiner of Escondido and described as being in ‘restored condition in white with chrome wheels’.

As is the case with so many SS100s, the original engine was replaced at some stage in its life but the one currently fitted is a correct 2½-Litre, SS stamped unit. Whilst in Mr Weiner's hands the car was a regular show contender and in 1981 achieved a 1st place at the San Diego Concours d'Elegance. Several show plaques are displayed under the bonnet along with, rather intriguingly, a competitor's plaque from the Stockton Road Races in 1956.

The recipient of some cosmetic restoration in 2013 and a mechanical overhaul in 2019 by UK specialists Davenport Cars, who also utilised their popular 5th gear addition and a new set of Blockley tyres on the car, this highly thought-of example, now set-up by marque experts, is said to drive exceedingly well, with a strong responsive engine breathing through a vocal exhaust!

Representing a rare opportunity to acquire a well-documented example of the model, accompanied by a Jaguar Heritage Certificate, copies of assorted SS100 Registers and the original owner’s instruction book, 18116 would make an excellent tour/rally car and is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious international historic motorsport events, including the Mille Miglia.

The SS100 was one of the fastest and best-handling sports cars of its day, as its competition record pays witness to - the quintessential pre-war sporting Jaguar. 1 of only 198 examples built, this is real opportunity to acquire a very special motorcar.