1936 SS Jaguar 100 Two-Seater Sports Roadster

When the young William Lyons introduced his devastatingly handsome SS Jaguar 100 sports two-seater in the fall of 1935, it was viewed with some skepticism by the rather conservative English sporting motorists of the day. Rakishly low, with 90 mph plus readily available and acceleration to match, it was well-equipped and finished, yet cost a mere ₤398. Surely there was a catch somewhere? Time has shown there was indeed no catch. With its long, many-louvered hood, its open cockpit with cutaway sides and its arching fenders, the SS Jaguar 100 symbolizes traditional 1930’s sports car design, just as its brilliant successors, the Jaguar XK 120 roadster and the Jaguar E-Type coupe, represent the 1940s and 1960s.

William Lyons’ master stroke was to make use of existing well-tried components from the multitude of makers surrounding him in Coventry. Steering gear, axles, gearboxes, instruments, even the chassis frame and more, all were “brought in” from the...