Offered from the estate of the late Michael Turner, in single ownership for some 70 years
1939 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Sports

• Owned by Michael Turner since 1955
• One of only 116 3½-Litre models
• In period competition history 1948-1952 including at Goodwood
• Extensively restored by James E Pearce in 1996/1997
• Continuously maintained

Launched for 1936, the SS100 was the first real high-performance model produced by SS Cars Limited, powered by a new Weslake-developed overhead-valve engine in a shortened SS1 chassis. SS Cars felt that the introduction of the overhead valve unit justified the adoption of a new name for the series. As SS Cars boss William Lyons later recalled: "I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me". In point of fact, "Jaguar" would be adopted as the marque name in 1943, "SS" having by then acquired a somewhat tarnished reputation.

"SS" originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, where the design was the work of Walmsley's partner, one William Lyons. Relocation to Coventry followed, and the Swallow range expanded to include models on Morris Cowley, Wolseley Hornet and Standard Sixteen chassis. Marque status arrived in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1, the chassis of which was supplied exclusively to Swallow by Standard, who also provided the 6-cylinder side-valve engine and 4-speed gearbox. Although unspectacular in performance, 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.

By the time the SS90 sports car arrived in 1935, William Heynes had joined as Chief Engineer. Based on a shortened SS1 chassis, re-engineered by Heynes, the SS90 again demonstrated Lyons' consummate skill as a stylist, its long bonnet, smoothly flowing wings, cut-away doors and truncated tail making it every inch the epitome of the 1930s sports car. Although good for 90 mph, the SS90 was handicapped by the limitations of its side-valve engine, a deficiency that would soon be rectified by another of Lyons' new recruits, gas-flow consultant Harry Weslake. Launched in 1936 alongside the 2½-Litre saloon, the SS100 Jaguar sports car marked the company's first use of the 'Jaguar' name. Beautifully styled in the manner of its SS90 predecessor, the newcomer employed a shorter, 102 inch wheelbase chassis and a revised version of the 2,663 cc Standard six which, equipped with Weslake's overhead-valve cylinder head and breathing through twin SU carburettors, now produced 104bhp. In 1938, a 3½-Litre version producing 125bhp was added to the range, the larger engine's extra power making the SS100 a genuine 100 mph car.

Although a fine touring car, the SS100 was marketed as suited primarily for competition work. Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed with 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 198 2½-Litre and 116 of the later 3½-Litre cars had been made by the time SS100 production was prematurely ended by the outbreak of war.

This Jaguar SS100 was bought by the renowned aviation and motoring artist Michael Turner in September 1955 and owned by him until his death in December 2025 - just over 70 years. Apparently laid up during WW2, the SS had been enthusiastically campaigned in races and hill climbs by a previous owner, whose five pages of notes for the period 1948-1952 may be found within the history file. These notes detail competitive outings at Silverstone, Croft, Goodwood, Prescott and various other venues, as well as its specification and modifications made. There are invoices dated 1949 and 1952 detailing work done, including the fitting of cycle wings to improve competition performance. Also on file is an old-style logbook recording Michael Turner as new owner on 29th September 1955, and confirming the chassis and engine numbers. Invoices dating from 1955-1958 show that the engine, gearbox and front axle were rebuilt at that time.

'DTF 28' was Michael's daily driver (including trips to events such as the 1957 British Grand Prix at Aintree) until marriage in 1960 and the requirement for something more 'sensible' (realised in the form of an Austin A40) saw the SS100 set aside for special outings as a cherished member of the family. Over the years the car attended numerous events and rallies including the SS100 50th Anniversary in 1986, the 1998 Goodwood Revival (not as competitor!), Silverstone, Prescott, and in more recent years, an annual run at the Kop hill climb. Michael and 'DTF 28' became a well-known car and owner combination, written about in articles in magazines such as The Automobile and Octane (see file).

During 1982/1983 Antique Automobiles carried out various works including cleaning the cooling system, fitting new core plugs, cleaning and resealing the fuel tank, rebuilding the carburettors, overhauling the front suspension, rebuilding the brakes, rewiring the electrics, and completely retrimming the interior, etc, etc (invoices on file). In 1988 the radiator was reconditioned with a new element.

During 1996/1997, a complete strip-down and comprehensive restoration was undertaken by James E Pearce. The body was repaired and some ash frame members renewed. The cycle wings were replaced with standard SS100-style wings and correct headlamps fitted (the old cycle wings are available). The car was repainted in dark blue. Details of all other work undertaken during this comprehensive restoration are detailed in the accompanying invoices. There are photographs of the restoration work together with others taken, including those featured in this catalogue at Silverstone in 1997 and Goodwood in 1998, and of Michael and his Chipmunk aircraft. During 2001 the steering, water pump, cylinder head, valves, etc were rebuilt, while in 2016 the dynamo was overhauled.

Offered with an extensive history file accumulated over the course of some 70 years, 'DTF 28' represents a truly unique opportunity to own one of the most coveted sports cars of the pre-war era, from the long-term enthusiast ownership of one of the most highly respected figures of the motoring and aviation worlds.