LOT 353

1938 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster Registration no. DOX 996 Chassis no. 49032 Engine no. L1043E

Sold for £177,100 inc. premium

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Lot 353

1938 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Registration no. DOX 996 Chassis no. 49032 Engine no. L1043E

Goodwood Festival of Speed: Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia|24 June 2022, 14:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1938 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster
Registration no. DOX 996
Chassis no. 49032
Engine no. L1043E

• One of circa 190 2½-Litre cars
• Matching numbers
• Present family ownership since 2002 (previous family ownership 1938-2002)
• Restored since acquisition

Footnotes

Launched in 1936 alongside the 2½-Litre saloon, the SS 100 Jaguar sports car marked the company's first use of the 'Jaguar' name. Beautifully styled in the manner of its SS 90 predecessor, the newcomer employed a shorter, 102"-wheelbase chassis and a revised version of the 2,663cc Standard six which, equipped with Weslake's overhead-valve cylinder head and breathing through twin SU carburettors, now produced 104bhp.

Although a fine touring car, the SS 100 was marketed as primarily for competition work. Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife, 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 rallying forays, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938, and the Alpine (outright) again in 1948. Around 190 2½-Litre and 112 of the later 3½-Litre cars had been made, plus a handful as chassis only, by the time SS 100 production was prematurely ended by the outbreak of war.

The SS 100 we offer comes with its original old-style buff logbook revealing that it was first registered to one Reginald Duckitt of Birmingham on 30 March 1938. Swiftly reregistered to Ashmore's (Auto Engineers) Ltd (in May '38), it passed to one Alfred Simms of Birmingham that same month and would remain in the Simms family's ownership until the lady vendor's late husband purchased it from Mrs Elsie Simms on 3 February 2002. The accompanying copy of the Classic Jaguar Association's SS 100 Register lists Mrs Simms as the owner in 1989. The car was described as showing 19,600 miles only, not run for over 20 years and in restoration.

Noted Jaguar historian and authority, Paul Skilleter, first encountered 'DOX 996' in the Halesowen area of Birmingham in 1979 when it was a completely original and untouched car in the hands of long-term owner, Mrs Simms. It had lain in her garage for many years. By February 1980 Paul was visiting the car to take progress pictures of its restoration, which was being carried out by Mrs Simms' next-door neighbour, John Owen, himself the owner of an SS 100.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Mrs Simms and Mr Owen soured, and the car was still in a dismantled state when acquired by the lady vendor's late husband. 'DOX 996' was subsequently restored (see bills on file) and seems not to have been used since completion (the odometer reading is 0.5 miles). The accompanying history file also contains the original instruction book; assorted correspondence; old V5/V5C documents; and a selection of restoration photographs.

Sold strictly as viewed, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a well documented example of the model that can be said to have started the Jaguar legend, 'DOX 996' is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic motor sport events, including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Le Mans Retro, Colorado Grand, Great America, California Mille and many more.

Saleroom notices

Please note on a very recent inspection by Twyford Moors to remedy a misfire, the cam cover was removed and broken and bent valves were found. Please note an SS100 is unlikely to be eligible for the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic and Targa Florio as catalogued. The estimate has been revised to £180,000 - £240,000.

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