1938 Jaguar SS 100 3.5 Liter

In 1936, only five years after beginning production, SS Cars startled the motoring public with the Jaguar 2.5-liter saloon, the company’s first car to feature overhead valves. The engine was the robust seven-bearing, six-cylinder unit built by Standard, but with a new cylinder head designed by Harry Weslake and Bill Heynes. With 104 bhp, smoothly delivered, flowing lines, a gearbox which made the best of the power, and a new chassis, it was the model which made the company’s reputation. Jaguar was then only a model name, but it was adopted as the company’s name after “SS” had acquired unfortunate connotations during the war.

If the Jaguar saloon epitomized excitement, it was as nothing compared to the Jaguar SS 100. No sports car better epitomizes the late 1930s, which is why it has been the model for so many modern “nostalgia” cars. It looked right from every angle and age has not withered its beauty....