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Launched in 1936 alongside the 2½-Litre saloon, the SS100Jaguar sports car marked the company’s first use of the ‘Jaguar’name. Beautifully styled in the manner of its SS90 predecessor,the newcomer employed a shorter, 102”-wheelbase chassis and arevised version of the 2,663cc Standard six which, equipped withWeslake’s overhead-valve cylinder head and breathing through twinSU carburettors, now produced 104bhp.Although a fine touring car, the SS100 was marketed as primarilyfor competition work. Its first major success came early, ifsomewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife,won the arduous International Alpine Trial in 1936, beating Bugattiand bringing the fledgling marque to the attention of the Continentalpublic. This would be the first of many successful rallying forays,including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938, and theAlpine (outright) again in 1948. Around 198 2½-Litre and 116 of thelater 3½-Litre cars had been made by the time SS100 productionwas prematurely ended by the outbreak of war.Chassis number ‘18064’ was supplied new in 1937. The car’s earlyhistory is not recorded but there is a photograph on file showing itracing while carrying the registration ‘DWA 535’. Norman Wisdomhad the current registration ‘NW 100’ transferred to the car whenhe bought it in 1962 (see continuation logbook on file).The body and trim are different from those of standard cars, and itis believed that these differences were in place early in its life. Theonly other notified deviations from factory specification are externalexhaust pipes, twin spare wheels and different rear lights.‘NW 100’ has covered only some 1,000 miles in the last 20 yearsand will be serviced and MoT’d immediately prior to sale by marquespecialist David Wall of Hoveton, Norwich, who has looked after thecar since 1991. David’s bills are on file together with one for £1,200in 1995 from SS & Classic Restorations of Diss, Norfolk. Additionalpaperwork consists of a V5C registration document and a copy ofNorman Wisdom’s letter (dated February 1985) recalling that hepaid £300 for the car, spent considerably more having it completelyrenovated and kept it at his home in West Chiltington, Sussex untilthe gardener persuaded him to sell it!The SS100 was one of the fastest and best-handling sports carsof its day, as its competition record both before and after the warbears witness to. Representing a rare opportunity to acquire anexample of the model that can be said to have started the Jaguarlegend, ‘18064’ is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigioushistoric motor sports events.£190,000 - 220,000€230,000 - 270,000134 | Goodwood festival of speed