1938 SS Jaguar 100 2 5 Litre

Описание: 19th Jun, 2024 13:00
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/l...

Owned by one family from 1938 until 2002, then a second family from 2002 - 2022
Believed to have only covered 20,000 miles from when new in 1938
A very original example with matching numbers
Subject to recent engine overhaul and mechanical work
Widely considered as one of the most desirable and attractive sports cars of the 1930s and the first to bear the 'Jaguar' name, the iconic SS Jaguar 100 entered pre-production in October 1935 and was launched officially in 1936 as a much improved successor to the SS90 from which it was derived. Improvements included a host of mechanical improvements, most notable of which was upgrading the six-cylinder Standard pushrod engine from side-valve to overhead valve with a new crossflow cylinder head designed by Harry Weslake and William Heynes fed by twin SU Carburettors. The power unit was mated to a four-speed manual transmission with syncromesh on all forward speeds apart from first. With 104hp at 4,600rpm, the car could be propelled to 60 mph in 12.8 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 96mph.

According to the buff log book on file, 'DOX 996' was first registered on the 30th March 1938 to Reginald Duckitt of Chester Road, Erdington and was supplied in the colour scheme of Gunmetal Grey over a Red Leather interior. Mr Duckitt appears to have only kept the car for two months, when ownership was passed to Ashmore's Auto Engineers Ltd of Roebuck Lane, West Bromwich who supplied the car to a Mr Alfred Simms. Mr Simms is believed to have kept 'DOX 996' on the road until 1955, for which there is a tax disc on file for this year and then until his passing in 1978, when ownership was transferred to his widow, Mrs Elsie Simms. Mrs Simms is believed to have contacted noted Jaguar Historian, Paul Skilleter, in 1979. Mr Skilleter is understood to have visited the car and noted that it was a very original, untouched machine at this point that had lain dormant for many years. From February 1980 Mr Skilleter was visiting Mrs Simms to document its restoration, which was being carried out by Mrs Simms' next-door neighbour who was also an SS100 owner, John Owen. It is understood that Mr Owen and Mrs Simms had a disagreement for whatever reason, meaning that the restoration stalled until 2002, when Mr Ben Hyams acquired the car in February of that year. A copy of the Classic Jaguar Association's SS100 Register from 1989 lists Mrs Simms as the owner of the car where it was described as being in restoration having not run for twenty years and only displayed a mere 19,600 miles on the odometer.

Upon inspection, we found that this fabulous early Jaguar is a very presentable example for which the vendor describes the paintwork and interior trim as being 'excellent' thanks to the quality restoration that the car was subject to and still remains fresh due to the relative lack of use since then. The Roadster is supplied with original Aero Screens plus sidescreens and a black Mohair hood which was renewed during the restoration. A turn of the key and a prod of the starter button immediately fired the magnificent straight six into life and the vendor has advised that it has been 'very trustworthy' and is 'ready to use' - for which he did for around twenty miles to the photoshoot and video session. It is understood that the transmission and clutch were also overhauled during the restoration, along with the wheels which have been painted body colour and shod with Blockley Tyres (including the two spares).

A rare opportunity indeed - if you are looking for an ever usable collector grade pre-war sports car that represents the earliest iteration of the Jaguar in sporting form, then surely 'DOX 996' is worthy of genuine consideration.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
[email protected]
07484 082430