SS and SS-Jaguar came from nowhere to lead the middle class car market, during the 1930s, which was a credit to William Lyons and his single-minded enterprise. Whereas the original 1932 SS1 had used humble side-valve Standard engines, late 1930s SS-Jaguars had powerful, purpose-designed overhead-valve ‘sixes’. That, and a line-up of elegant styles, made them extremely desirable.
New for 1936, the SS-Jaguars had four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, saloon and drop-head coupé body styles, along with one very special derivative – the rakish two-seater SS100 sports car. Using a short wheelbase version of the touring cars’ chassis, but with the same engines, transmissions and other running gear, the SS100 was a wickedly attractive two-seater which came as close to sex-on-wheels as its descendant the E-type a quarter of a century later.
Running on a 102 in/2591 mm wheelbase chassis, with hard beam-axle suspension and rather heavy and imprecise steering, the SS100 did not even attempt to give its occupants a peaceful ride, but inspired excitement at every turn. Its sweeping front wings were dominated by huge headlamps; the bonnet was long, low, and covered in louvres; the engine bay was full of impressive power, while the rear wings were abbreviated and rather coquettishly curved. Cutaway doors, a slab fuel tank, and a fold-down windscreen all added to this car’s irresistible visual appeal.
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Original SS100s had 2.7-litre engines, a 95 mph top speed, and cost £395, but from 1938 there was the option of a 125 bhp/ 3,485 cc power unit, from which 101 mph was available, all for a mere £445. There was much petty jealousy from SS-Jaguar’s rivals, but none of them could counter the colossal (by 1930s standards) performance, the eye-catching looks, or the amazing value-for-money pricing.
The fact that sales were so limited – only 198 2.5-litre and 116 3.5-litre types were produced in four years – reflected the heavy annual taxation of the period, rather than the car’s limitations. It was, admittedly, one of those machines one only ever bought as a ‘toy’ (there was virtually nowhere to stow baggage, and rather sketchy all-weather accommodation), but its excitement-per-pound rating must have been one of the most impressive of all time.
SS-Jaguar considered making a closed two-seater coupé version of the same car, but this never progressed beyond a single prototype. In the more sober motoring period which followed the Second World War, there was no place for an SS100 in the line-up, but the vast majority of these machines seem to have survived.
Very appealing with its long bonnet, huge head–lamps and cutaway doors, the SS100 was a car of impressive power and excitement as well as being good value for money.
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