1939 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster
Flowing fenders and a long hood defined this British sports car, which gained a larger engine in 1938 compared to its earlier 2.5-litre version. The 3.5-litre straight-six produced about 125 horsepower and delivered genuine 100-mph performance, living up to the “100” designation in its name. With a 0-to-60 time of roughly 10.5 seconds, it offered impressive acceleration for the era.
The roadster’s swept bodywork featured separate headlamps, wire wheels, and a short 104-inch wheelbase that contributed to nimble handling. Half-elliptical springs at all four corners worked with rigid axles, while Girling hydraulic brakes provided stopping power. A four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the top three ratios delivered power to the rear wheels.
Production ended in 1940 due to World War II, with just 118 examples of the 3.5-litre built. Despite its limited numbers, the model competed successfully in events including the Alpine Trials and RAC Rally.
When new, the SS 100 3.5-litre sold for about £445, which was roughly $2,200 in the United States at the time, offering remarkable performance value.
Although known today as a Jaguar, the SS 100 was built under SS Cars Ltd. The company officially adopted the Jaguar name in 1945, making this one of the last prewar models to carry the original SS badge.
The SS 100 3.5-litre remains one of the most desirable pre-war British sports cars, with its combination of style and speed making it highly collectible today.
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