Estimate £380,000 - £450,000

Imperial War Museum Auction - 14th June

Registration No: CVU 2
Chassis No: 18050
MOT: Exempt

Notable period competition history
1937 RAC Rally winner
1937 Monte Carlo Rally entrant & RSAC Trophy winner
Subject to a 10 year concours restoration
Authenticated by the late David Davenport

Among the first of William Lyons' creations to utilise the Jaguar name, the SS Jaguar 100 entered pre-production in October 1935. Although derived from its SS 90 predecessor, the newcomer benefited from a host of mechanical and stylistic improvements. 

Based around a cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, rod-operated Girling drum brakes and an underslung back axle, the rakish two-seater was powered by a 2663cc straight-six engine allied to four-speed manual transmission (with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears). Developed by Harry Weslake, its cross-flow overhead valve cylinder head was fed via twin SU carburettors (rather than twin RAG ones). Credited with developing some 104bhp @ 4,600rpm, the '2.5 litre' SS 100 was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 12.8 seconds and 96mph. 

Treated to a revised shock absorber set-up, enhanced steering gear and new Dunlop wire wheels, it went faster and handled better than any previous SS model. Dynamically honed by chief engineer William Heynes and marketed as being "primarily intended for competition work and sufficiently tractable as a fast tourer without modification", the first Jaguar sports car enjoyed a successful racing / rallying career including victories on the 1936 International Alpine Trial, 1937 RAC Rally (manufacturer's team prize) and 1948 Alpine Rally.