To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 29
- 30 March 2019.
Estimate:
$250,000 - $300,000
- One of just 11 known to exist in this specification
- Recent restoration to an extremely high standard
- One of the earliest cars bearing the "Jaguar" name
- Extremely rare matching-numbers example
- Documented ownership history
The company that would become Jaguar Cars Ltd. went through several
iterations during its pre-war development. The company started out
as the Swallow Sidecar Company, literally building motorcycle
sidecars. When partners William Walmsley and William Lyons began
building bodies on the Austin 7, it became the Swallow Sidecar and
Coachbuilding Company. Eventually the sidecar business was dropped
altogether. Production of a new car in 1931, using a custom chassis
from the Standard Motor Company, resulted in the SSI, and by 1934,
the principle firm was called S.S. Cars Ltd. It is under this
nameplate that this 2 � Litre Touring car was built.
In 1937 just 45 SS1 Jaguar Tourers were produced, including the car
offered here. At the factory this car received the 2,663-cc OHV
engine from the already famed SS100. Chassis no. 19098 still
retains its numbers-matching engine, gearbox and body, as shown on
the accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate. The certificate also
shows that the car was originally finished by the factory in the
uncommon color combination of Suede Green with contrasting Suede
Green interior.
After being completed on 1 March 1937, the car was distributed from
Henley's of London, UK, on 22 March 1937. Its first documented
owner was Leigh Park Motors in the Royal Borough of Windsor in
Berkshire. Leigh Park Motors pre-registered all of their new
vehicles with Henley's so the new owners could enjoy their new
purchases immediately without waiting for registration paperwork.
It was registered on plate DKX 980, the number which remains with
the car to this day.
Though the car's intermediate history is not known, it is known to
have been in long-term storage beginning in 1963 and was uncovered
just recently. It has been the subject of a thorough restoration
and is presented here in its highly unique factory Suede Green
color combination. Chassis 19098 is the quintessential marque for
any pre-war car collector and is finished to the highest of
standards. This OHV Tourer still retains its Leigh Park Motors Tag
attached to the bulkhead, bolstering its provenance.
A great thrill to drive, this automobile is an important piece of
history from one of the world's great marques. In the open air,
sitting close to the pavement at speed, it is easily one of the
world's most exhilarating automobiles. Today, fewer than 11 of
these OHV examples are known to exist.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/fl19.
