Jaguar SS 1.5 Saloon

William Lyons started his career with a small factory in Blackpool making Swallow Sidecars, shortly followed by a coachbuilt version of the Austin Seven, the Austin Swallow. In 1928 a new site was acquired in Coventry and production grew. The first complete car was the SS 1.5-litre Saloon. This used a side valve engine supplied by nearby Standard Motors, allied to a four-speed manual gearbox. This was soon complimented by 2.5 and 3.5-litre models and, of course, the staggeringly beautiful SS100. 

The performance of the 1.5-litre was not its strongest suit, however 70mph was attainable and road tests of the day praised the car for its sweet running and its ability to cover ground efficiently. It certainly looked good, too, and was soon dubbed the 'Wardour Street Bentley' thanks to its aristocratic style at a bargain price which appealed to the more raffish elements of the contemporary Soho set.

After the war the company name was changed from SS to Jaguar Cars Ltd. (for obvious political reasons) and production continued with the old pre-war model range. The term Jaguar MkIV was introduced retrospectively to differentiate the model from the MkV which gained independent front suspension. In all, some 10,980 1.5-litre SS and Jaguar cars were produced between 1935 and 1949 although survivors are now rare and seldom seen.

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular SS 1.5-litre was manufactured in November 1936 and sold to its first owner through Henlys in April of the following year. The car has only had one owner for the last 26 years and has been fastidiously maintained and improved throughout that time with bills on file in excess of £20,000. This includes a full brake overhaul, new king pins, new wiring loom and reconditioned steering. The engine was also fully rebuilt at a cost of some £7,600 less than 300 miles ago.

Cosmetically the car is in lovely condition with re-plated brightwork, re-painted coachwork and sympathetic refurbishment of the red leather interior. The wonderful ‘Sunrise’ patterning of the door cards in leather and wood has also been faithfully restored to great effect. On the button and ready to go with a current MOT, this elegant saloon is ready to be shown and enjoyed.