Vehicle Description
Before Jaguar was called Jaguar, the company went by the name of Swallow Sidecar Company. Swallow Sidecar was born into the automotive world in 1922 by two close friends named William Lyons and William Walmsley. In the company’s early years, they built sidecars for motorcycles, hence the company name, and later began building bodies for the vastly popular Austin 7. By 1935, the burgeoning company had evolved into SS Cars Ltd, which began pumping out some of Great Britain’s finest sports and saloon cars. One year later, the previous 70 horsepower 2.5 liter inline 6-cylinder motor was redeveloped and introduced in SS’s two latest creations, the SS Jaguar Saloon and the SS Jaguar open 2-seater. The newly upgraded motor had an increase of 32 horsepower and was enough to defend the fresh and powerful designation of Jaguar. After naming SS’s most recent creation, head honcho William Lyons stated, “I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me.” By 1943, the company made one final name change, replacing SS with Jaguar, since the SS name was tarnished by the Nazi party of Germany.
Not only did the car have an exciting name, the Jaguar was a thrill to drive. As a fair amount of British cars in this period were abundantly underpowered or extremely heavy, the Jaguar spilt the difference. Sporting a peppy, twin carbureted, 2.5 liter 6-cylinder motor that was fitted in an agile 120 inch chassis, SS had produced a fantastic driving car. In 1937, SS came out with a refreshing alternative to the Saloon and the 2-seater, the Drophead Coupe with a 3-position convertible top. The Drophead coupe was the perfect combination between the two existing body styles, mixing the hair-in-the-breeze enjoyment of a roadster and the elegance of the stately saloon.
The car we are offering is one of the original 249 2.5 liter Drophead Coupes produced between 1937 and 1939. Today, less than 20 of 249 built are believed to be still in existence. It has the distinction of being considered a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America, and examples are therefore eligible for some of the most prestigious and most enjoyable classic car events in the country. This particular car, chassis 46037, was built in 1938 as the 37th car of this model completed. The car was the recipient of a ground up restoration by a Jaguar marque expert from 2001 to 2005. Finished in two-tone black and grey with red leather interior, and fitted with wide whitewall tires, the car has a striking appearance. In addition, this car comes with a correct tool kit, Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, binder of restoration photos and receipts, operating manual, and JCNA judging sheets.
A veteran of many concours, the car has been shown at Amelia Island Concours in 2010, the Milwaukee Masterpiece in 2010 and 2013, the Art of the Car Concours in 2011 and 2014, the Santa Fe Concorso in 2011, as well as numerous JCNA events. The opportunity to acquire a prewar SS Jaguar does not present itself often, here is car that is well suited not only for shows, but is equally ready to take on long drives in the country.
