The Jaguar SS100
Brian Classic & Co. are pleased to offer for sale this 1939 Jaguar SS100, chassis number 49062. The Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool by William Walmsley, branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, designed by Walmsley’s partner, one William Lyons. Having expanded and moved production to Coventry, SS became a manufacturer in its own right in 1931 with the introduction of the SS1 which established the firm’s reputation for making very stylish cars at a relatively low price.
In 1935 the SS90 sportscar was launched, based on a shortened SS1 chassis engineered by William Heynes and with coachwork that was the epitome of 30’s styling, again by William Lyons. Somewhat lacking in performance, the SS90 was transformed when Heynes and another new recruit, Harry Weslake, converted the side valve Standard engine to overhead valve configuration and tuned it to deliver over 100bhp in 2 ½ litre form. The resulting model, the SS100 Jaguar, finally offered the performance to match the car’s looks and went on to establish the firm’s sporting credentials. Its first major success came early when Tommy Wisdom won the arduous International Alpine Trial in 1936, beating Bugatti and bringing the fledgling marque to the attention of the Continental public. This would be the first of many successful rally results, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938, and the Alpine (outright) again in 1948.
Chassis No. 49062
Built in 2 ½ and 3 ½ litre versions, SS100 production totalled only just over 300 between 1936 and ’39. This Jaguar SS100, chassis number 49062, is one of the last produced being registered in April 1939 by Birmingham dealer P.J. Evans to first owner Denis Patterson of Lapworth, Warwickshire. The silver Jaguar was a 21st birthday gift from his parents and would have looked very much at home outside ‘Cedar Lawn’ the family’s impressive Edwardian mansion. Within a month of taking delivery, Patterson was competing in the RSAC Scottish Rally and although his finishing position cannot be found, the car’s history file contains wonderful photographs of the event. The second World War interrupted any further competition plans and the Jaguar spent the next 5 years in storage before moving on to its next illustrious owner.
The original buff continuation logbook contained in the history file, issued some time prior to 1954, records the owner by then to be renowned sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein, perhaps most famous for his work on the tomb of Oscar Wilde in Paris, and giving his address as 18 Hyde Park Gate, London. By that time the logbook records the car’s colour as black and there is a wonderful photograph in the Tate Collection of Epstein’s son Jackie sitting in a black SS100, marked to the reverse “Jackie at Hyde Pk Gate”. Jackie Epstein would go on to become a fairly successful racing driver as well as team manager. By 1956 49062 was in the hands of Paul Vasey in Sussex and in 1957 was purchased by William Bourke of Wembley, Middlesex. The car’s history file contains a photograph of the car being hill-climbed around this time fitted with cycle-type wings to the front.
“Racing car acceleration” Motor, July 1938
In July 1962 the logbook records a change of ownership to Arthur Keys of Hitchen, Hertfordshire and on the same date notes a change of engine number to D9006-8 which corresponds to an XK unit from a Mk.VII Jaguar. Intriguingly, 49062 is last licenced in Hertfordshire in August 1963 although Mr. and Mrs. Keys retained the car until 1969 when it is sold to the World’s leading SS expert and restorer David Barber, who’s company DCM Auto Service undertook a complete restoration. Whilst the restoration was still ongoing the car was sold to The Lord O’Neill of Shanes Castle, Antrim and the decision was taken at the time to fit the car with a suitable, pre-war SS 3 ½ litre engine, number M808, which the car retains to this day. Lord O’Neill would go on to own 49062 for the next 38 years and the history file contains copious correspondence from the Baron to various suppliers regarding the upkeep of the SS100 over the decades of his ownership.
In 2012 the SS was purchased by the current owner, who shares his time between the UK and Australia, and soon after was taken over to his Brisbane home where he enjoyed using the car regularly, including the occasional commute into his city centre office! Whilst over there, in 2014, the car was featured on the cover of ‘Jaguar’ magazine and was the subject of a glowing article within. More recently the car returned to the U.K. for the owner to use on his visits here.
As it is now over 50 years since 49062 was restored the car has developed the pleasing patina of a used and well-loved Jaguar SS100. The fact that the car was restored by one of the marque’s most knowledgeable experts plus the careful custodianship of only a couple of owners since then has ensured that the car still drives very well with sure-footed handling and the extra performance that the 3 ½ litre engine provides
