1937 Jaguar SS 100
- Engine
- 3.5L inline-six, ~125 bhp
- Colour
- British Racing Green
The Jaguar SS 100 chassis 39011 is a late-production 3½-litre example, one of just 118 built before 1938, that left the Coventry factory in December 1937 finished in Gunmetal over black leather. Delivered through the Attwood dealership in Wolverhampton to its first owner, the car is supported by invoices from 1946 and a JDHT Certificate. After a period of obscure British ownership, it was acquired by a German enthusiast in 1994, who carried out a full restoration including an engine rebuild and repaint to British Racing Green, subsequently campaigning it in several historic rallies across Europe.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €252,500 (≈ $278K)
- 1937 →Private saleA N Twentymanpartial documentation
Acquired via the Attwood dealership in Wolverhampton after the car left the Coventry factory in late 1937; noted in the JDHT Certificate.
- 1946 →Acquisition unknownLt Commander Whitbypartial documentation
Bristol-based owner whose tenure is evidenced by factory servicing invoices from 1946; subsequent history up to 1985 is unaccounted for.
- → 1994-05-01Acquisition unknownLondon-based ownernone documentation
Car believed to have remained in England through this period; identity of this owner is not recorded.
- 1994-05-01 →Private saleGerhard Gradapartial documentation
Dortmund-based owner who undertook a full restoration including engine rebuild and repaint to British Racing Green, then prepared the car for historic motorsport participation.
Competition
- 19361936 International Alpine TrialDriver: Tom Wisdom1st
Win by Tom Wisdom driving an SS 100; this is a marque achievement referenced as context, not necessarily this specific chassis.
- 19361936 RAC RallyDriver: Tom Wisdom1st
Marque-level victory cited as context for the SS 100's competitive reputation; not confirmed as this specific car.
- 20112011 Flying Scotsman Rally
Car participated under Gerhard Grada's ownership after restoration.
- 20142014 Flying Scotsman Rally
Second appearance at this event, again under Grada's stewardship.
- —Historic events in Germany
Unspecified historic rallies or events held in Germany, participated in during Grada's ownership.
- —Historic events in Italy
Unspecified historic rallies or events in Italy during Grada's ownership period.
- —Historic events in Czech Republic
Unspecified historic rallies or events in the Czech Republic during Grada's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1946ServiceJaguar factory
Factory servicing carried out while the car was under the ownership of Lt Commander Whitby; the earliest surviving invoices date to this year.
Documented by copies of original invoices retained with the car.
- —Maintenance
The chassis number was restamped at an undetermined point in the car's history; the engine number retains its correct original stamping and the engine is confirmed as the unit originally fitted to chassis 39011.
Exact date and circumstances of the restamping are unknown.
- —Restoration
Extensive ground-up restoration commissioned by Gerhard Grada after his 1994 acquisition, encompassing a full engine rebuild and a respray from the original Gunmetal to British Racing Green.
The car was subsequently prepared and equipped for participation in European historic rallying.
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