1935 SS1 2½-Litre Tourer
Registration no. CXV 153
Chassis no. 249467

Forerunner of the 'Jaguar' marque from SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, the SS1 predated yet epitomised the later advertising slogan, 'Grace, Space, Pace'. 'SS' originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool by William Walmsley in 1922. Marque status arrived in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1, a close-coupled coupé. Based on that of the Standard Ensign, the SS1's low, under-slung chassis was designed by Lyons and supplied exclusively to Swallow by the Standard Motor Company, which also provided the 2.1/2.6-litre six-cylinder sidevalve engine and four-speed gearbox.

Lyons' design for the body was startling: the SS1's excessively long bonnet, tiny passenger compartment and helmet-type front wings suggesting that it represented the ultimate in high performance. In so doing, the SS1 went some way towards establishing the pattern for future Jaguars, combining sporting good looks with a better-than-average specification and all at a bargain price.

The SS1's styling was revised for 1933 and the engines up-rated with alloy cylinder heads and improved manifolds, raising the top speed to 75mph. For 1934 the SS1 gained a new wide-track chassis and slightly enlarged Standard engines of 2,143cc and 2,663cc, while the body underwent yet another re-style. In this, its final form, the SS1 remained in production until 1936, by which time 2,503 examples of this ultimate version had been made.

This SS1 was purchased by the vendor's father in the early 1970s before undergoing a sympathetic restoration by Unisant (records and all receipts on file). The car has remained in the same family's possession for 50 years. Run only in fine weather, 'CXV 153' has attended many SS and Jaguar events over the years and is well known in the SS car community. We are advised that the car has always started 'on the button' after its winter hibernation and has been a reliable runner. It has been serviced regularly by marque specialist David Davenport and more recently by David Wall in Norfolk, with any issues addressed immediately.

The gearbox received a major service and new clutch in 2012, while more recently the mechanical fuel pump was replaced with a more reliable electric one (original available). The SS is only being sold because the owners' circumstances mean they cannot give the car the time it deserves.