The SS Jaguar 100 was an open, two-seater, luxury car, which was produced in Great Britain between 1936 and 1940 by the British firm SS Cars Ltd in Coventry, England. This sports car was powered by one 2,663 cc, six-cylinder petrol engine. The number '100' was due to the fact that it could reach the top speed of 100 mph. At the time it was introduced, it was a very expensive car to buy as only rich people could afford it. About ten years ago, in an auction in Arizona, USA, a restored 1938 SS Jaguar 100, which was in pristine condition, was sold at 650,000 US dollars. The company SS Cars Ltd, which had been founded in 1922 by William Lyon, would change its name to 'Jaguar Cars Limited' in 1948.
The SS Jaguar 100 was developed from the SS 90. It had the same type of chassis than its predecessor, with a wheelbase of 104 inch (2.64 m). The car body was elegant, with cycle-style wings, a low stance and an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine developed with the help of the gas-flow specialist Harry Weslake. In 2.5-liter form, it was quick; in the 3.5-liter form of 1938 it could reach the 100 mph its name promised; all in all, it was a genuinely fast car for the money. Although it was never produced in large numbers (a total of 300), today it is among the most looked for pre-war, British sports car. Many cars exhibited as SS Juguar 100s are actually replicas, because genuine cars are rare and extremely valuable, and the shape has been reproduced on various chassis over the years. A real SS 100 has documented history and the correct chassis.
Technical Characteristics
The SS Jaguar 100 featured a S-6 (Straight 6-cylinder) engine, which delivered 125 horsepower. 'Straight 6-cylinder engine meant that its cylinders and pistons were arranged straight in a single line. British engineers would later increase both the bore and stroke from 2663.7cc to 3485cc. The effect was a complete improvement in performance and speed. The engine has twin SU carburettors. The car chassis was made of steel, with a wheelbase of 2.64 m and a length of 3.88 m. Suspension consisted of half elliptical leaf springs, with rigid axle, and transmission was four-speed manual. The four-speed gearbox was fitted with synchromesh on the top 3 ratios. The wheels consisted of steel rim and sturdy steel wire spokes.
Specifications
Type: two-seat sports car
Weight: 1,208 kg (2,660-lb)
Length: 3.88 m (152.9 inches)
Width: 1.5 m (60.2 inches)
Wheelbase: 2.64 m (104 inches)
Wheel Type: Dunlop Splined Center Lock
Power Plant: one Straight 6-cylinder petrol engine
Maximum Speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)
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| Above, side view of the SS Jaguar 100. |
