"SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, England manufactured the SS Jaguar 100 between 1936 and 1940. The intention was to reflect the 100mph maximum speed and once approved by Sir William Lyons, the model name 'Jaguar' was given to the range in 1936. Generally considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing Jaguar cars ever built, the SS100 is also one of the rarest with only 198 of the 2.5 litre and 116 of the 3.5 litre models being manufactured. Most stayed on the home market but 49 were exported. Cars in good condition will now regularly achieve in excess of £300,000. It is of little surprise, rather like its later stable mates, the C and D-Type, that those of us of a more impecunious persuasion looked for an alternative and a number of boutique car manufacturers then set about to feed this demand, Suffolk Sports Cars was regarded as setting the benchmark for others to follow. With the demise of the company in 2020 this is the end of the line, there will be no more.
In the world of Suffolk SS100s this car is unusual - it is road legal. No worries about letters from the DVLA or Q plates particularly at the point of change of ownership when a lot of problems occur. The Suffolk Sportscars website stated that ‘cars built for use on the UK roads must first pass an IVA test’. But the majority of the 200 or so cars that stayed in the UK were registered using the V5C of the donor car and had only a standard MoT prior to road use. A number of cars have had the V5 withdrawn until an IVA test has been passed. Suffolk Classic Services charge circa £7,000 to prepare and submit a car for testing.
This example was built by the very knowledgeable and fastidious vendor from 2005 and passed an SVA test (the SVA test preceded the IVA) in 2009. It is registered as a Suffolk, made by SSC. Powered by Jaguar’s superb 4.2 litre XK engine and mated to a manual gearbox which has an overdrive unit fitted, the vendor has thoroughly enjoyed this Suffolk SS100 for 19,325 miles. With great attention to detail such as the rivets on the front wings (purely decorative but replicate those on 1938 cars) while underneath will be found an aluminium stone guard to protect the GRP from stone damage; the period handbrake and clever use of the dummy fuel tap as a heater control along with the HD8 SU carburettors, polished cam covers and period Silverstone steering wheel all contribute to making this a great looking and great-driving car.
Not just a great looking car, this Suffolk has travelled Europe having completed trouble free memorable trips to the Le Mans Classic, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium with the Suffolk Sportscars tours. Equipped with wet weather gear, a tonneau cover and even a 4Kw heater this delightful example is finished in Old English White with black Bridge of Weir leather interior. Adapted for touring with a unique 50kg luggage rack that does not obscure the drivers rear view, there are two additional storage areas, one for the jack, Thor hammer and wooden ‘spinner spanner’ and the second, just like the original 1937 cars is a tray within the chassis for valuables such as documents. Supplied with a V5C registration document, together with an MoT test certificate valid until 29th March 2022 and fitted with a brand new set of Blockley tyres this Suffolk SS100 has been lovingly cared for and awaits its second owner."