Jaguar SS100
| Jaguar SS100 | |
|---|---|
1939 Jaguar SS100
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SS Cars Ltd |
| Also called | SS Jaguar 2½ Litre 100 Model |
| Production | 1936–1940 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | Open two-seater or in US Roadster Coupé (prototype only) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2663 cc (3485 cc from 1938) straight-6 overhead valve |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104 in (2,642 mm) |
| Length | 153 in (3,886 mm) |
| Width | 63 in (1,600 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | SS 90 |
| Successor | Jaguar XK120 |
The SS Jaguar 100 is a British 2-seat sports car built between 1936 and 1940 by SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, England.
The '100' was so named to reflect the theoretical 100 mph maximum speed of the vehicle. In common with many products of the thirties, the adoption of an animal name was deemed appropriate, and once approved by Sir William Lyons the name "Jaguar" was given to a new saloon car in 1936, and from that point to all the cars.
Following the Second World War, because of the Nazi connotations then attached to the initials "SS", the company was renamed Jaguar in 1945.
The chassis had a wheelbase of 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m), and was essentially a shortened version of the one designed for the 2.5-litre saloon, a car produced in much greater numbers, and first seen in the SS 90 of 1935. When leaving the factory it originally fitted 5.50 or 5.25 × 18 inch tyres on 18 inch wire wheels. Suspension was on half-elliptical springs all round with rigid axles. The engine was a development of the old 2.5-litre Standard pushrod unit converted from side valve to overhead valve with a new cylinder head designed by William Heynes and Harry Weslake. The power output was increased from 70 bhp (52 kW) to 100 bhp (70 kW). Twin SU carburettors were bolted directly to the cylinder head. In 1938 the engine was further enlarged to 3.5 litres and the power increased to 125 bhp (93 kW). The four-speed gearbox had synchromesh on the top 3 ratios. Brakes were by Girling. The complete car weighed just over 23 cwt (2600 pounds, 1150 kg).
On test by the magazine in 1937 the 2.5-litre (20 RAC hp rating) car was found, with the windscreen lowered, to have a maximum speed of 95 mph (153 km/h) and a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 13.5 seconds. With the 3.5-litre (25 RAC hp rating) the top speed reached the magic 100 mph (160 km/h) with a best of 101 mph (163 km/h) over the quarter mile and the 0–60 mph (97 km/h) coming down to 10.4 seconds.
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