It’s hard to think, when looking at Jaguar today, that one of the largest, most iconic British automobile makers started out as a motorcycle sidecar manufacturer in the early 1920’s, but that’s exactly how it all began. 

William Lyons’ Swallow Sidecar company was based in a small factory in Blackpool, where the motorcycle sidecars were made for several years before Lyons branched out into the automobile trade, first making car bodies to sit on Austin 7 chassis. These became incredibly popular and were far more lucrative than the sidecars, and thus Lyons moved to a larger premises where he began making complete cars under the name SS cars. 

The first full car made under the name was the SS 1.5 litre in 1935, which sported ash frame construction and a small 1609cc litre engine from fellow British manufacturer Standard cars. By 1938 both the ash frame and smaller engine had been done away with in favour of steel frame construction and a larger displacement engine. At the time the car was praised for its capability on the road and ability to fetch 70mph, however the little 1.5 litre engine was definitely not the car’s strongest feature. 

Post war, the rather sensible decision was made to disassociate with the SS name, which was changed to Jaguar Cars LTD, a name that still stands today. Around 10,900 1.5 litres were made between 1935 and 1949, however these are few and far

between nowadays, none more so than the 1936 model we see here, boasting a hoard of unique one year only engineering and design features. 

Courtesy of the wing mounted spare wheel, lack of quarter windows and a host of other subtle cues, we know that the car we see here is a very early 1936 model. First registered in May of that year to the Brighton area, the car is believed to have spent well over a decade under that ownership before transferring to a Mrs Miller in 1952 who passed it on to a Mr Miller who owned it until his passing in the 1990’s. 

Investigation indicates that the car’s original engine was treated to a rebuild around the early 1950’s, however Mr Miller was an aircraft engineer by trade, and like many, he loved the beautiful flowing lines of the SS, but felt the 12hp 1.5 litre left a little something to be desired, and so in the 1980s the car was treated to a 1600c Ford Kent crossflow engine and Ford synchromesh gearbox to boost the cars usability and capability on modern faster roads. 

After his passing in the 1990’s the SS traded hands a couple of times before being sold in 2005 to a new owner, who shortly after purchasing, used the car in a Channel 5 documentary titled “Worst celebrity driver of the year award” in which the SS was driven around from John O’ Groats without fault. After its TV appearance, the car was subject to a restoration back to near original condition, whilst keeping the upgraded engine and gearbox. 

The current owner, an avid Jaguar enthusiast, purchased the car some 5 years ago, and throughout this time, the car has been well maintained and dry stored to an incredibly high standard. Unfortunately due to the loss of storage space, they are looking to move the car on to a new loving home. 

The SS comes accompanied by a neat folder of paperwork, front and centre of which is an early vehicle registration booklet dating from 1949. Alongside this is the current V5 registration document. 

Within the folder is a comprehensive set of historic photographs from the car's time under the Miller ownership, detailing much of the mechanical work done to the car throughout that time. 

Being a 1936 model, the SS can be registered as both tax and MOT exempt by the new owner due to its historic status, this can be done by filling out the relevant DVLA registration forms.

Sporting a level of craftsmanship simply not seen on the cars of today, the cabin of the SS is a truly marvellous thing. Opening the rear hinged “suicide” doors, we are introduced to an ocean of voluptuous red leather and sculpted woodent trim. Having borne the test of time incredibly well, the interior presents in utterly beautiful condition. 

Seating both front and rear is in excellent shape, the driver and their passengers could almost sink into the deep red leather, with its thick broad cushioning and neat stitching, there is a distinct lack of wear to be seen here. At the sides we find four excellent sundial patterned leather door trims, an exclusive piece for 1936 model years that were cut to save costs by 1937. These are neatly capped off with high quality wooden trim that sculpts its way around the top of the door and window frame. 

Yet another rare piece, unique to these early cars is the placement of the speedometer on the left, a design cue exclusive to the early style dashboard design and layout. The dashboard itself is in great shape, the wonderfully sculpted wooden piece is clean and lacks the fading and damage one would expect of a late 1930’s vehicle. The various gauges and switchgear present in good order and are reported to function fully. 

Draping the cabin floor is a plush red carpet, still fresh and full of colour. We find this carpeting also within the boot and inside the smaller compartment within the tailgate. The top of the cabin is fitted with a clean well trimmed roof liner, noticeably free from staining, rips or tears.

 

Looking at the SS from the outside, it's clear to see why William Lyon’s car bodies outsold his motorcycle sidecars. In the SS, he has created a symphony of flowing lines and elegant curves to make up what could quite possibly be one of the finest looking automobiles to date. 

Finished in an excellent cream hue, believed to be Old English White, this particular SS presents in great condition. The paintwork that coats the ash framed body is in good shape, but does show some signs of blemishing in areas, however there is nothing on this front to detract from the look of the car. 

The exquisite chrome trim that adorns the SS is of a wonderful standard, exuding a brilliant shine from all angles, the imposing front grille and lighting cluster sat up front, mirroring this incredibly high quality. The front end is so perfectly finished off with the iconic Jaguar bonnet ornament.

Sculpted lines so quintessential of British coachbuilding, the sweeping wing pieces flowing front to rear are a real feature piece of the SS. The passenger side wing is unique in that it houses the full size wire spare wheel, a feature exclusive to the early SS cars. The car itself sits on four beautiful colour matched wire wheels, finished off perfectly with chrome SS branded centre caps. The wheels themselves are in great order and the paint is of a good quality standard. 

The restoration work done in the early 2000s to bring the car back to near original condition has very much worked wonders, presenting almost as the day it rolled off of the forecourt in 1936, it is only upon opening the bonnet that one is presented with the cars non original features, the modern and arguably superior running gear fitted by Mr Miller in the 1980s. 

The 1600cc Ford Kent crossflow engine fitted appears to be in excellent order, the engine appears to be incredibly clean and fits very naturally within the equally clean engine bay. A far cry from the 12hp 1.5 fitted from factory, the current owner reports the SS is more than capable of keeping up with modern day traffic and is comfortable at the higher speeds simply impossible for the original motor. 

A truly outstanding piece of classic automobilia. Believed to be one of the earliest road going cars from one of the finest marques, and one of just 5 of this particular model, this is nothing short of a rare opportunity. 

Boasting an assortment of unique one year only parts and design features, this is a perfect car to stand out from the crowd, but courtesy of a more modern engine and gearbox, this is also an incredibly usable example.