1937 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Two-seater Sports
Harry Weslake’s overhead-valve cylinder head transformed a modest Standard six-cylinder engine into the powerplant that launched the Jaguar legend.
The SS 100, introduced in 1936, marked SS Cars Limited’s first serious high-performance model and the debut of the famous feline name that William Lyons felt had “an exciting sound.”
The sleek two-seater used a 102-inch wheelbase chassis shortened from the SS 1 saloon, re-engineered by Chief Engineer William Heynes for sporting applications. Weslake’s overhead-valve conversion of the 2,663cc Standard engine, breathing through twin SU carburetors, produced 104 horsepower compared to the sidevalve unit’s more modest output.
Competition success came immediately when Tommy Wisdom and his wife Elsie won a Coupe des Alpes in the 1936 International Alpine Trial, defeating established marques like Bugatti and bringing Continental recognition to the fledgling brand. The model continued its rallying achievements with class victories in RAC events during 1937 and 1938.
William Lyons’ styling genius created the quintessential 1930s sports car silhouette, featuring a long hood, flowing fenders, cut-away doors, and a truncated tail. Production totaled approximately 190 examples of the 2½-litre version (about 419 lbs or 190 kg lighter than many rivals) before wartime manufacturing restrictions ended the model’s run, with a later 3½-litre variant accounting for an additional 116 cars.
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