1939 SS100 JAGUAR 3.5 LT ROADSTER – 93,418 MILES SHOWING
Presented here is an extremely rare offering, a genuine SS100 Jaguar, one of just over 300 made and one of 118 3.5 Litre versions and one of only 3 delivered new into Australia.
Origins: Swallow Sidecar (SS) Company
In 1922, William Lyons joined William Walmsley in a partnership named Swallow Sidecars. After 1927, the manufacture of sidecars gave way to low-cost coach-built cars and ultimately cars of their own manufacture under the banner, SS Cars Ltd.
In 1936 SS Cars Ltd. began producing an open two-seat sports model called the SS Jaguar 100. Along with the saloon version, this was the first car to bear the Jaguar name, later adopted for the entire marque with an official name change in 1945 to Jaguar Cars Ltd.
SS 100:
“100” indicated – in miles per hour – the desired top speed. The engine, initially of 2 ½ litre capacity adopted a new cylinder head specially designed by Bill Heynes and Harry Weslake, produced in the region of 100HP. During 1938, the engine was uprated to 3 ½ litre capacity.
The OHV in-line six-cylinder pushrod engine featured twin SU carburettors, twin three-branch exhaust headers and compression ratio of 7.2:1. At peak 4,500 rpm, the bigger engine developed close to 125bhp.
With a 4-speed Moss gearbox, superb Girling brakes, reliability and economy, the SS100 – designed initially as a high performance, luxury open sports roadster – showed its mettle in competition where terrific acceleration and high maximum speed matched with commendable handling, surprised motor media and the competition of the day.
As a reviewer from The Motor recorded: “It handles as well as it looks.”
The exterior styling of the 1939 Jaguar SS100 was nothing short of breath taking. Fold-down windscreen and aero screens, long fluted bonnet, sweeping fenders, and low-slung body were penned with an artistry that commanded attention. The interior was equally impressive, with rich leather upholstery and polished wood accents that spoke volumes about the craftsmanship of the era.
Its weight was contained at 1,168 kg. 198 versions of the 2 ½ litre version were produced from 1936, and with war on the horizon, a mere 118 3 ½ litre cars were completed by 1939.
Emerging as a shining star immediately pre-World War II, the SS 100 roadster blended luxury, performance and innovation. Its influence extended to future generations of Jaguar, inspiring iconic models, under-pinning the brand’s identity as a manufacturer of cars which blended outstanding styling and mechanical innovation – hallmarks of the famous Jaguar make.
With the advent of War, production ceased, the Coventry-based factory took on repairs to wartime aircraft along with production of trailers and sidecars for the military, an ironic return to its roots.
With just over 300 examples produced, the SS100 Jaguar is a rare and highly desirable pre-War sports car – with an extremely high survival rate. 86% is amazing.
Ownership records show the following :-
1939 – 1948 : Dr. Walter Pye – NSW
1948 – 1951 : Tony Fagan – NSW
1951 – 1952 : Len Allen – NSW
1952 – 1954 : Wes Jones – NSW
1954 – 1955 : Eric Sarles – NSW
1955 – 1957 : John Wollaston – SA
1957 – 1958 : Valentine Pomeroy – SA
1958 – 2024 : Tony Bishop – SA
1939 – Bishop SS100
Eight days before his 22nd birthday, Tony Bishop of Adelaide, South Australia, purchased
SS100 Chassis 39102 on January 6th. 1958 commencing an amazing 67-year custodianship.
After joining the local Vintage Sports Car Club, with his brother, Michael, in 1955, Tony first eyed the very 3 ½ litre SS100 which became an integral part of his life for nearly seven decades thereafter.
Owned by John Wollaston, a World War II fighter pilot, the car was in its original lavender grey livery – the first SS100 Tony had seen in the flesh and one of just three examples imported new to Australia.
Between 1955 and 1958, Tony owned a massive 6 ½ litre Delage GL roadster and a 1939 MGTA – but with university law studies, the MG was sold and with his brother, the pursuit of the Wollaston SS100 proved fruitful. The car had been sold to a Mr. Valentine Pomeroy in exchange for a VW sedan and £100. However, to appease his wife with the purchase of a house, Pomeroy needed to sell the SS which he had hand-painted red and fitted fatter rear tyres to. At the asking price of £625, the 19-year old Jaguar – with 52.989 miles on its odometer, was still cheaper than a good MG TC.
Curious to know more about his dream acquisition, Tony corresponded with Jaguar Cars Ltd and was informed by letter dated June 7th 1961 that Chassis 39102 left the factory on February 15th 1939 and passed to a London firm of exporters for Australia.
We hold a copy of the Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate #76211 attesting to the car’s origins and matching number status.
The car was painted “lavender grey with red trimming, and had a lavender grey hood.”
In 1958, Students at the University of Adelaide were permitted to park their vehicles on the university campus where Tony’s car joined the 1936 2 ½ litre SS100 which Digby Thomas had purchased in September 1957, a car which his family retains to this day.
In 1959, a third SS100 joined the university clan – another 2 ½ litre car purchased by Geoff Inglis, later owned by John Bradman, son of cricketing legend, Sir Donald Bradman.
In 1962, his legal studies completed, Tony ventured interstate – to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – eager to track down other Australian SS100 owners. He turned up seven cars but of greatest significance, at Bryson Industries, Jaguar agents in Sydney, while buying up pre-war parts suited to the SS100, he was approached by a man who, whilst admiring 39102, remarked that he had once owned a 3 ½ litre SS100.
The dots joined, it transpired that the gentleman, Doctor Walter Pye, was the first owner of Tony’s car when it arrived in Australia in April 1939.
Dr. Pye and Tony corresponded until his death in 1994 – aged 88. The good doctor produced early photographs of the car and presented Tony with four blackwood blocks upon which 39102 had reposed during the five years of World War II. These very blocks remain with the car.
After paying £750 for the car, Dr. Pye was able to acquire the New South Wales registration number SS100. He also preferred oversized rear tyres which aided the car’s gearing and when sold in 1948, the car had covered just 9,500 miles.
Over Tony Bishop’s marathon-long ownership, the mileage has risen to 93,417 with very few issues – third gear was replaced in 1961, the timing chain in 1962 and main pinion bearing in 1967, work performed by Tony himself.
Around 1993, the engine was rebuilt by David Griffin of Car Craft Services in the Adelaide Hills, Ray Finch repainted the car – retaining its red livery – and Dave Stewart re-trimmed seats and cockpit.
Now in its 86th year, this magnificent, highly original survivor, a timeless motoring icon, this truly magnificent 1939 Jaguar SS100, is offered for discreet sale to an appropriate custodian – one who will preserve its incredible life story with the care and attention it has had lavished upon it over nearly seven decades. With grateful thanks, respect and admiration to life-long enthusiast, Tony Bishop.
Specifications:
Chassis : Ladder frame, semi-elliptical spring suspension
Chassis number : 39102
Engine number : M 1079 E
Body number : 5033
Engine :
6-cylinders
Pushrod operated overhead valves
Bore : 82mm
Stroke : 110mm
Capacity : 3486cc
RAC rating : 25 HP – 125 BHP
Oil capacity : 20 pints
Price [new UK] – £445
Here is a truly unique opportunity to own a genuine SS100 Jaguar which is very driveable at present and would definitely love continued preservation or even total restoration, which ever you thought was the right path to take.
Available to inspect on our state of the art showroom floor in Adelaide.
We can arrange transport door to door world wide.
Finance – our broker offers VERY competitive rates and prompt service.
We welcome the opportunity to consider your trade in.
| Make: | SS (Swallow Sidecar) |
| Model: | Jaguar Roadster |
| Built: | 1939 |
| KM: | 93,418 Miles |
| Engine Size: | 3500cc |
| Cylinders: | 6 |
| Transmission: | Manual |
| Price: | Sold |