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JAGUAR: 100 Years Special | Episode 02 – SS100
JAGUAR: 100 Years Special
Episode 02 – SS100 (1936-1939)
By Roberto Marrone / Photo credits go to their respective owners
The SS100 (October 1935) replaced the SS90. Sporty par excellence and with a new chassis, it was considered one of the best sports cars of the pre-war period and still offered at a competitive price. It was used in numerous national and international competitions. One of the most iconic SS100 was the so called “Old Number 8” with which journalist Tom Wisdom – together with his wife – won the International Alpine Trials and also successfully participated in the race at the Brooklands circuit.
The frames were further improved and you also get the choice for a 3,500 cc engine, which allowed a burning acceleration and a speed that exceeded 100 miles per hour. William Lyons had interesting plans for that year’s Motor Show, a splendid coupe version had also been made, but after producing the first example, the outbreak of World War II stopped every activity not related to the conflict. The Coventry-based company found itself collaborating, building many sidecars for military use, almost a return to its past. Also carrying out activities for the aeronautical field, they were able to introduce techniques and technologies that would be useful in the future. Of course this also led the Factory being a bombing target, as it happened for so many others in the busy city of Coventry.
At the end of the conflict, on April 9 1945, the Company officially adopted the name Jaguar Cars Ltd. There were many good reasons for doing so, not least the fact that the original name would bring back unpleasant memories, but the SS100 model did not come back into production, although still participating in numerous competitions. With this car the famous sportsman and also driver Ian Appleyard, who also became Lyons’ son-in-law after marrying his daughter Patricia – from whom he later divorced in 1959 – was very successful at the Rally Alpine Tulip.
The SS100 born in 1935 was a sports car that in the acronym “100” indicated the speed it could reach in miles per hour. The engine, initially a 2,500 cc, adopted a new cylinder head specially designed by Bill Heynes and Harry Weslake, with side valves that allowed it to have an overall peak of 100 horsepower.
Fuel system with double SU carburetor, suspension with semi-elliptical springs, rigid axle with leaf springs. In 1937 the engine was increased to 3,500 cc and developed 125 hp. The gearbox was a four-speed (with not synchronized first gear) and Girling braking system. Its weight was contained at 1,043 kg. 198 units were produced for the 2.5 cc version and 116 for the 3.5 cc.
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