Factory publicity described the sensational new SS100 as "primarily intended for competition work and sufficiently tractable to use as a fast tourer without modification." The Heynes-designed overhead-valve engine was capable of giving the car genuine 100 mph performance and the styling of the new sports two-seater reflected William Lyons' influence at its very best. The cars achieved rally successes in the hands of Tommy Wisdom, Sam Newsome and later of course Ian Appleyard, but also ventured onto the racing circuits with successes on both sides of the Atlantic.
This recent "barn discovery," registration no. AUK 634, chassis no. 18109, engine no. 253151 and body no. 4833, has a well-recorded history and is a most original car in all respects. A right hand drive example, it was manufactured on 11 June 1937 and supplied to the Wolverhampton dealers Attwoods. According to records the first recorded owner was a Mr. J. Fellows. Sixteen months later John Montgomery, a farmer from Kent, was to purchase the car on 5 October 1938 and it was to remain in his ownership and subsequently his wife's until the present time.
The car was used enthusiastically and was entered into the 1938 Cardiff Welsh Motor Rally, the Coronation Scottish Rally and the 1938 and 1939 Scottish rallies. Evidence of this can be seen by period photographs of the Scottish rallies and dashboard plaques on the car. The car was subsequently used as an everyday car until the mid 1960s, when Mr. Montgomery felt it was time to restore his prized possession cosmetically, as previous work had already been carried out on the engine as and when necessary.
Last taxed in 1965, the car was laid up in his barn where it remained until July 1994, even surviving the ravages of the 1988 hurricane when part of the roof of the barn collapsed. Evidence of this can be seen by the dents in the rear nearside windscreen support. Restoration to the bodywork was never carried out and the car today still has its original black paint and its original red leather trim and red carpets, although now considered beyond saving.
Instrumentation is correct and includes: speedometer, rev counter, oil pressure, amps, petrol and water temperature gauges as well as a Brooklands Motors suppliers plaque on the dashboard.
AUK 634 was last seen being driven by its owner between the hop poles on his Kent farm inspecting the hops and his hop pickers. It was an ideal car for such a job, and John Montgomery was quoted as saying that "the car was narrow enough to drive through the narrow alleys between the poles."
An old green log book, Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, owner's manual and expired tax certificates were available with the car when it came to auction.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1937 Jaguar SS 100 2.5 |
Offered at the September 5 1994 Sotheby’s sale, the SS100 was expected to bring $54,250. However, intense competition between ten telephone bidders and several more would-be buyers in the room saw the price leap to almost double the high estimate, finally selling for a monumental $96,100 including premium.
The new owner is businessman Glenn Kalil, from Hampstead, North London, who had come to the auction determined to leave with the prized SS. “I came along with every intention of buying the car, although the price I paid was about as much as I would have gone to for it,” he said afterwards.
While SCM doesn’t want to be the one to break the news to Mr. Kalil, a more desirable 3.5 liter SS100, S/N M797E, red over black and in nicely restored condition, sold at the World Classic Auction May 14/15 in Danville, CA, for a mere $90,000.
Top money for a 2.5 is in the $135,000 range, with 3.5s reaching up to $150,000. These are the most collectible of all the Jaguar series, and will appreciate at the front of the market.