2010-12-22 05:30:36 | Lofty writes:

Was at auction at Bonhams:

www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/WService=wslive_pub/pubweb/publicSite.r

Lot No: 355
The 1938 Earls Court Show Car
1938 SS100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster
Registration no. 452 XUS
Chassis no. 39087
Engine no. M797E
Body no. 5000

Report reads in part:

"A Statement of Build from Jaguar Cars Ltd records that 39087 was completed on 11th August 1938 and that it was despatched on 31st October 1938 to Jaguar dealers Henlys of London. It further records that this was the 1938 Earls Court Show car and would therefore have been proudly exhibited on Stand 126.


The subsequent detailed history of the car is not recorded, however at some stage it found its way to the USA where it was owned for many years by a lady in California. Following her death it was sold by her executors to Mark Smith of the Pennsylvania Motor Sport Company in Skippack, PA, and had just one subsequent owner before acquisition by the previous owner at the Brooks 1997 Monaco sale.

During the previous ownership the car has been used infrequently but regularly MoT tested. It is smartly presented in red livery with silver painted wheels. The impressive driver’s cockpit is upholstered in black leather and the car equipped with a black hood. Driving equipment includes Lucas headlamps with fitted stone guards, twin Lucas horns, fold-flat and aero screens, a Raydyot rear-view mirror and twin ‘Owleye’ rear lamps. The car carries a Swiss nationality plate and a plaque attached to the coachwork indicates supply at some stage by Agence Automobiles, Albert Schmidt SA, Geneve et Bale. The car sits on 18inch Dunlop Racing tyres and the radiator sports the leaping Jaguar mascot.


Since in the current vendors ownership a top end engine rebuild has been carried out, together with general improvements of the braking system. We are advised a later steering box is fitted and the wiring would benefit from minor attention in places.

This iconic pre-war sports car is offered with its tonneau cover and side screens, a copy of California Certificate of Title from 1993 recording the ownership of J R & W McDougal, expired MoT certificates, the most recent to November 2008. In recent years the owner acquired the registration number 100 SS and placed it on the car. This number has been removed from the SS 100 and will be offered as the next lot. The vehicle is now UK registered 452 XUS."