1938 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre Sports
We are delighted to present this beautifully crafted pre-war sports car, which has been restored and assembled to the highest standards over a long period by a highly regarded Jaguar restorer, with over forty years of experience working with classic Jaguars. He also has vast experience restoring and re-creating traditional coachwork on cars spanning the period from 1912 to 1939.
This car started life as an SS Jaguar 2½ litre saloon in 1938 being registred in Surrey on 1st December that year. She retains original mechanical components, such as engine, front and rear axles, steering and brakes, sufficient for the car to retain her identity. At the time the car was built 1938, many identical components were used on the saloons and sports cars. The chassis has been refurbished and modified to exact SS100 dimensions and specification.
The complete body is an original SS100 item, having been fully dismantled and the ash frame refurbished using most of the original timbers, but with some additional ash sections to strengthen what was a notoriously flimsy body. The original aluminium skin was repaired and carefully refitted with only the sill sections having to be replaced.
Additional original parts sourced for the project include the radiator shell, stone-guard, bonnet, all four wings, fuel tank, headlamps, “owl’s eye” tail lamps, instruments, and steering wheel with its centre horn push and controls, all fully refurbished. The tail lamps and front side lamps incorporate flashing indicators. The original cigar lighter is retained on the dash with a supplementary one tucked out of sight, wired negative earth for Satnav use.
The original engine, bearing the number L1177E, is still the one recorded on the registration document and has been fully rebuilt by a leading marque specialist.
A concession to modern motoring is the five speed gearbox, of a type often fitted to restored SS100s – this being a big improvement on the Standard 16 gearbox, and a delight to use with well spaced ratios.
The steering box has been refurbished and fitted with new internals by Hollman Engineering, eliminating the waywardness found in many SS100s. The brake drums have been skimmed and the shoes fitted with high friction linings.
The car is finished in the original Gunmetal metallic grey carefully matched to fragments of the original paint found on the body. Likewise the interior, fully trimmed with quality carpet and leather, was colour matched to fragments of the original. A full set of weather equipment is supplied with the car including, hood, side screens, tonneau cover and hood bag.
A detailed summary of the complete build is available to interested parties. The full story of its creation was featured in “The Automobile” magazine of June 2017.
Once completed the car was returned to the road in July 2015, since when it has been carefully run in and used for numerous tours of Wales and the Northwest, covering just over 2,000 miles. It has proved itself to be comfortable, reliable and easy to drive.
This special car is presented in immaculate condition - the meticulous quality of the build and attention to detail are a true credit to its restorer. It presents a unique opportunity to acquire a beautifully re-created SS100 which is offered at substantially less than a wholly original example.
Please call us on 01420-474919 or 07710-364945 to arrange an appointment to view.
Ground Up Restoration
