1937 SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis no. 11055 Engine no. 250599• Offered without reserve • First owned by the famed Czech film actor/director, Oldřich Nový • Restored in the Czech Republic 1999-2000 • Matching engine and chassis numbers • Present ownership since 2011 Footnotes'SS' originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, designed by Walmsley's partner, one William Lyons. Marque status arrived in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1. The SS1 went some way towards establishing the pattern for future Jaguars, combining sporting good looks with a better-than-average specification and all at a bargain price. By the time the SS90 sports car arrived in 1935, William Heynes had joined as Chief Engineer. Based on a shortened SS1 chassis, re-engineered by Heynes, the SS90 again demonstrated Lyons' consummate skill as a stylist, its long bonnet, smoothly flowing wings, cut-away doors and truncated tail making it every inch the epitome of the 1930s sports car. Although undeniably handsome and good for 90mph, the SS90 was handicapped by the limitations of its sidevalve engine, a deficiency that would soon be rectified by another of Lyons' new recruits, gas-flow consultant Harry Weslake. In 1936 the new Weslake-developed overhead-valve 2,663cc power unit appeared in two new models: the 2½-Litre saloon and SS100 sports car. The introduction of the OHV engine was considered to justify the adoption of a new name for the series, William Lyons later recalling: "I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me." ('Jaguar' would be adopted as the marque name in 1943, 'SS' having by then acquired a somewhat tarnished reputation.) With 104bhp on tap from the twin-carburettor 'six', the newcomers' performance at last matched the style that had already become a company hallmark. This eye-catching example of the iconic SS Jaguar sports saloon reportedly was ordered by the famed Czech film and theatre actor/director Oldřich Nový (1894-1983). Considered to be one of the greatest actors of Czech cinema in the first half of the 20th century (he starred in more than 40 films) Nový clearly had impeccable taste in his choice of motor cars. The accompanying JDHT certificate notes that the car was delivered new to Klika, Prague on May 4th, 1936, in Black with Pigskin interior. This 2½-Litre carries a plaque stating that it was restored by Hicar of Brno, Czech Republic between 1999 and 2000 (the car is still illustrated on the company's web site). The owner acquired the SS at a UK auction in June 2011, since when it has been kept on static display. Little else is known of the history of this car, which comes with copies of the auction bill of sale and description and a (copy) Middle Eastern registration document issued in 2012, as well as the aforementioned JDHT certificate. The car will require recommissioning prior to returning to the road. Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £250 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
1937 SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis no. 11055 Engine no. 250599• Offered without reserve • First owned by the famed Czech film actor/director, Oldřich Nový • Restored in the Czech Republic 1999-2000 • Matching engine and chassis numbers • Present ownership since 2011 Footnotes'SS' originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, designed by Walmsley's partner, one William Lyons. Marque status arrived in October 1931 with the launch of the SS1. The SS1 went some way towards establishing the pattern for future Jaguars, combining sporting good looks with a better-than-average specification and all at a bargain price. By the time the SS90 sports car arrived in 1935, William Heynes had joined as Chief Engineer. Based on a shortened SS1 chassis, re-engineered by Heynes, the SS90 again demonstrated Lyons' consummate skill as a stylist, its long bonnet, smoothly flowing wings, cut-away doors and truncated tail making it every inch the epitome of the 1930s sports car. Although undeniably handsome and good for 90mph, the SS90 was handicapped by the limitations of its sidevalve engine, a deficiency that would soon be rectified by another of Lyons' new recruits, gas-flow consultant Harry Weslake. In 1936 the new Weslake-developed overhead-valve 2,663cc power unit appeared in two new models: the 2½-Litre saloon and SS100 sports car. The introduction of the OHV engine was considered to justify the adoption of a new name for the series, William Lyons later recalling: "I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me." ('Jaguar' would be adopted as the marque name in 1943, 'SS' having by then acquired a somewhat tarnished reputation.) With 104bhp on tap from the twin-carburettor 'six', the newcomers' performance at last matched the style that had already become a company hallmark. This eye-catching example of the iconic SS Jaguar sports saloon reportedly was ordered by the famed Czech film and theatre actor/director Oldřich Nový (1894-1983). Considered to be one of the greatest actors of Czech cinema in the first half of the 20th century (he starred in more than 40 films) Nový clearly had impeccable taste in his choice of motor cars. The accompanying JDHT certificate notes that the car was delivered new to Klika, Prague on May 4th, 1936, in Black with Pigskin interior. This 2½-Litre carries a plaque stating that it was restored by Hicar of Brno, Czech Republic between 1999 and 2000 (the car is still illustrated on the company's web site). The owner acquired the SS at a UK auction in June 2011, since when it has been kept on static display. Little else is known of the history of this car, which comes with copies of the auction bill of sale and description and a (copy) Middle Eastern registration document issued in 2012, as well as the aforementioned JDHT certificate. The car will require recommissioning prior to returning to the road. Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £250 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
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