Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar SS100

Built between: 1935-1939, number sold: 309, cool cat factor: 5/5

Jaguar

Mention Jaguar sports cars to most people, and they will probably think of the legendary E-Type or the early post-war XK120. But the firm’s heritage in this field stretches back to pre-war days.

Various SS1 saloons and drophead coupés filled the order books in the Thirties, yet the two-seaters were its most glamorous offerings. In early 1935, the SS90 arrived. It was strikingly handsome, but lacked the performance to match its looks, as it used the same six-cylinder side-valve engine as the SS1 saloon. Only 23 examples were sold.

Then came the big news. In September 1935, the visually similar SS100 was launched, and with overhead valves and 102bhp, it could reach 94mph. Later SS100s got even faster as they were fitted with a 125bhp 3.5-litre engine, which gave a top speed of 101mph. Its price tag of £395 ensured that it was Britain’s cheapest car to break the magical 100mph mark at the time.

In styling terms, the SS100 was distinguished from the SS90 by revised headlamps and a restyled radiator, which wore an ‘SS Jaguar’ badge. A total of 191 2.5-litre cars were produced between 1935 and 1938, with an additional 118 3.5-litre variants made from 1938 onwards.

The undisputed performance-per-pound champion of the Thirties, the gorgeous SS100 is still a wonderfully enjoyable machine to drive today. It proved the British firm could produce great two-seaters to match their stylish saloons and laid the foundations for Jaguar’s future racing successes.

Details

WHY: Two-seater was the cheapest car to reach 100mph in its day.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £15,972
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,214 off RRP*Used from £10,195
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025