One owner for 70 years: SS100 Jaguar leads 83MM auction

Turner and his SS100 were written about in The Automobile and Octane magazines, and were a regular sight at motoring events over the decades. The car’s previous owner kept a detailed account of his use of the car from 1948 to 1952, logging competitive outings at Goodwood, Croft, Silverstone, Prescott and other venues. He adapted the car with cycle wings for improved performance, which remained in place until a thorough restoration in 1996 and ’97.

The same work included a repaint in blue and replacement sections of ash frame. There is plenty of evidence of other maintenance throughout the decades, with other significant work in the 1980s and after the turn of the millennium.

The SS100 was the first car to use the Jaguar name, albeit as a model designation. Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company was established in 1926, and its first commercial hit was an upmarket, rebodied Austin Seven. Following the company’s relocation to Coventry, its range of cars grew to encompass offerings based on the Morris Cowley, Wolseley Hornet and Standard Sixteen.

The company became a marque in its own right in 1931 with the SS1 which employed a chassis made by Standard that was supplied exclusively to Swallow. Four years later, the SS90 was Swallow’s first sportscar which was followed up by the SS100 Jaguar in 1936.

Compared to its sportscar predecessor, it had a shorter chassis and a Harry Weslake-designed overhead valve cylinder head for the 2,663cc Standard six-cylinder engine. Allied with SU carburettors, it was good for 105PS (78kW) making it a true 100mph car. Given its performance, Swallow marketed the car for competition use and Tommy Wisdom, crewed with his wife, took an early victory in the 1936 Alpine Trial, beating competition from Bugatti.

The outbreak of World War II curtailed production of the SS100, and this example was laid up during the conflict before being revived in the late 1940s for the aforementioned competition use. By then, Swallow had stopped using the SS moniker because of its Nazi connotations, and adopted the Jaguar name we know today.

The ex-Michael Turner example was sold at the Bonhams|Cars auction at the 83^rd Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport. It sold for £218,500 including premium, making it the highest selling lot of the weekend.

The 84^th Members' Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport takes place on the 10^th  & 11^th  April 2027. Tickets are on sale now for GRRC Members and Fellows. If you haven’t already, you can  join the Fellowship today.

Images courtesy of Bonhams|Cars.