2012-09-17 09:04:12 | Lofty writes:

Car was at Gooding auction, date unspecified.
www.goodingco.com/car/1937-jaguar-ss100-35-litre-0

Auction descirption:
1937 Jaguar SS100 3.5 Litre
CHASSIS NO. 39002
ENGINE NO. M501E

Oldest Surviving 3.5-Litre SS100 of 116 Built
Meticulous Restoration by J.D. Classics to the Highest Possible Standards
Astonishing Attention to Detail
Numerous Best of Show Awards
Original Registration and Colors
Pebble Beach 2009 Best in Class Winner
Arguably the Finest Example Extant

3,486 CC Straight-Six Engine
Dual SU Carburetors
125 BHP at 4,500 RPM
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Girling Drum Brakes
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension with Luvax Shock Absorbers

This Car
This absolutely stunning SS100 stands today as what must be the finest example anywhere in the world. The quality and detail of its restoration rivals the finest ever performed on any motorcar. With the aim of presenting the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the ultimate goal of the restoration was to set a new standard of detail and finish when restoring the highly original, matching-numbers example. The work was undertaken by respected marque authority JD Classics, located outside London. Handsomely presented in its original black livery with navy blue leather, the car still retains its original UK registration number CKV 666, which was presumably applied for by the factory when testing the new 3 1/2-litre model.

The car was originally ordered by Captain John P. Black, the managing director of the Standard Motor Company, Ltd., a company that manufactured the engine and other major components for SS Cars Ltd. Captain Black specified the black paint and the non-standard blue leather interior which was an extra-cost option. For reasons unknown, the Captain never took delivery of the SS100 and it was subsequently sold to a Mr. Bellhouse of New York, who is considered to be the first owner. Research has uncovered a few additional owners from the car's early history: T. Hecht and G. Daigh, both from Georgia, then reportedly to S.S. Roberts. Later the car came to be in the collection of Don Williams of Blackhawk. In 1988, it was acquired by the Rosso Bianco Collection in Germany before finally coming to the present owner in 2006.

The exceptional restoration, which included documenting correct parts and components down to the smallest detail, was performed with months of collective research. As an example of the efforts that were taken, the wiring loom, while barely visible, was carefully researched for correctness and it was discovered that the original wire used in these cars had a chevron pattern in the braid for the trace color. This wire has not been produced for decades so, rather than use concours acceptable cloth-insulated wire, 20 meters of each color combination necessary to complete the wiring loom was custom braided and made into the wiring harness. Most of this wire is under wrapping or is housed within conduit but, on close inspection, it presents just as when the car left the factory.

The delicate mesh screen over the radiator and lights was found to be a specific imperial measurement in the cross-hatch pattern, equivalent to 12.7 mm per square. Although acceptable facsimiles are made today, in both 12 mm and 13mm square mesh, special material was woven at 12.7 mm specifically for this car. To the trained eye, there is a perceptible difference.

The windshield wiper motor is extremely rare and is correct for the car. The armature was rewound and the intricate linkage needed to make the wipers function from a pivot point at the bottom of the windshield, as is proper, had to be made and painstakingly adjusted to work without fault.

The black paint on this superb automobile borders on perfection. The scores of louvres in the bonnet have been perfectly prepared, painted, sanded and polished, representing the truly stunning standard of restoration and hundreds of hours spent on the bonnet alone.

Since the extraordinarily meticulous restoration, this car was shown for the first time at a Jaguar Driver's Club event on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Highclere Castle near Newbury, England. During the event, the SS100 was treated to thundering applause as well as some real thunder. As the day progressed and rain continued, it was regarded unacceptable to drench the car. Fortunately, in the last hour of the day, the rain ceased and the SS100 emerged from its trailer, running and performing perfectly to win overall Car of the Day. For the debut of the SS100 in America at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the car was carefully affixed to a transport pallet and flown from London to California where it completed the Tour d'Elegance, then dazzled the crowd the following Sunday and achieved its First Place goal. In March of this year, the SS was honorably displayed on the Jaguar stand at the Geneva Motor Show celebrating Jaguar's 75th anniversary. Encased in a mirrored glass vestibule, under theatrical lighting, the roadster literally sparkled.

This is a car that has won numerous awards with names such as "Champion's Champion" and simply must be viewed in person to fully appreciate its splendor.
It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest restoration efforts ever lavished on an automobile.

It would be easy to spend hours discovering new and fascinating details, each carefully researched and executed to create this truly beautiful and impeccable machine. This magnificent Jaguar will be a source of marvel for its new custodian and a perfect cornerstone for any collection.

2012-09-20 08:54:50 | Pekka T. writes:

Seen on the cover (and inside) of Jaguar Driver magazine nr. 593 from December 2009, inside also a photo where Jaguar's UK Marketing Director, David Lewis poses with the "Champion of Champions cup and owner Robin Green who received the trophies.

2014-08-02 08:43:58 | pauls writes:

Auction was Pebble Beach 2010, Lot 24
www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1937-jaguar-ss100-3-5-litre/

SOLD: $1,045,000