The Jaguar SS100 was so named because the 3.5 liter version could hit over the magical 100 mph, and tear from 0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds – terrific speeds for the time. Its 6-cylinder engine, capable of over 125 horsepower, was a winner, and its chassis clothed in a beautiful swept winged body remains a classic to this day.

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The manufacturer’s name ‘SS Cars’ maintained a link to the previous owner, Swallow Sidecar, founded in 1922 by Walmsley and Lyons to build motorcycle sidecars.

Unusually for a car of this era, the SS Jaguar 100 was built body and all. In fact, only a handful of SS100s were supplied as ‘chassis only’ cars.

This is no doubt because SS, with its history of coach-building, was more than capable of building its own bodies.

For the 100 the company adopted an animal name as a marketing device: in this case, a leaping jaguar. So it was on an SS100 that the famous Jaguar ‘leaper’, the marque’s signature feline bonnet ornament, was first displayed. In mid-1936 the first version of the Jaguar mascot was reputedly described by Sir William Lyons, founder of the company, as ‘looking like a cat shot off a fence.’

In time it would prove as much a significant motoring animal icon as would the still unborn prancing horse of Ferrari.

The SS Jaguar 100 became therefore the car that made the globally renowned and adored Jaguar. And in March 1945 the S. S. Cars shareholders agreed to change the name to Jaguar Cars Limited. So the Jaguar SS100 3.5-liter is the start of an astonishingly impressive dynasty. (As the Second World War had unfolded, the unfortunate connotations of being called SS couldn’t be ignored, a large part of why the Jaguar name was phased in.

And World War 2 was behind the extremely low level of Jaguar SS100s that were manufactured: production was sadly and abruptly brought to a halt by the war, never to restart.) The Jaguar SS100 is also very rare: only 198 2.5-liter and 116 3.5-liter models were manufactured, most remaining in the UK, with only 49 exported.

And at Beverly Hills Car Club right now we have one of those 49, a highly coveted 1937 Jaguar SS100 Roadster Right-Hand-Drive that is finished in an exquisite color combination of silver exterior complemented with a striking red interior.

This particular model, a lifelong California car, is a 2-5-liter example, one of those only 198 ever built, making it an exceptionally rare find.

With its sleek lines, elegant curves, and distinctive design, this SS Jaguar 100 is such a visual buzz: its long, sweeping fenders, low-slung body, and classic wire wheels exude a sense of speed and grace, even when standing still.

Our car comes equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, 2.5-liter inline-six engine, SU dual carburetors, Smiths & Sons instrumentation, dual exhaust outlets, convertible soft top, louvered clamshell bonnet, Lucas headlights, Lucas fog lights, chrome trim, chrome bumpers with overriders, three-spoke wood steering wheel, Lucas tires, 18-inch wire wheels with knock-off spinners, boot cover, and a spare tire perfectly mounted at the side.

Step inside the cabin and experience 1930s luxury: convenience features include front bucket seats, driver-side rearview mirror, and an analog clock.

This example showcases its West Coast roots, boasting a California black license plate. Every curve and contour have been meticulously crafted, highlighting Jaguar’s unparalleled attention to detail.

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a discerning collector, this SS100 Roadster represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of automotive history that is mechanically sound.

The SS 100 was an outstanding looking sports car, almost unrivalled in its attractions. Not only did it have a very high standard of finish, but it owned a powerful and deep gurgle that very quickly rose in tone. Road-holding was excellent. With a weight of only 445 pounds, the Jaguar SS100 3.5 Liter was a hit with sporting drivers and professional racers. A team of works cars was a winner in a number of national and international events: the Alpine Trials, for example, the Monte Carlo Rally and Britain’s number one rally event, the RAC Rally, in which it took the Manufacturers Team Prize.

Meanwhile, James Leasor, one of the best-selling authors of the 1960s, a British heir apparent to Ian Fleming, created an unnamed character who was an SS100-driving Belgravia vintage car dealer, his car featuring prominently in Leasor’s novels.

That may have been fiction.

But one thing is certainly the truth: the Jaguar SS100 3.5 Liter was one of the very greatest automobiles of the pre-World War II era.

-Alex Manos, Owner