2023-10-15 20:17:22 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.prewarcar.com/493669-1938-ss-100-2-5-litre-sports-2-seater

Seller's description:

The Motor Shed Ltd, The Special Repair Shop,

Bicester Heritage, Bicester

1938 SS 100 2.5 litre Sports 2-seater

This exceptional SS100 is in near perfect condition, never a 2-seater sports in period, this motor car was built using original parts and has matching chassis, engine and registration numbers. 

Chassis modified to open 2-seat sports from saloon.

Engine rebuilt and 2.5 litres.

Body tub from an original open 2-seat sports, including some of the original wood frame.

Original axles, brakes and steering components used.

Original radiator shell, fuel tank and stone guards used.

Original bonnet.

Original head lamps, pedals and switch gear used.

Many other original components used.

The gearbox, a 5-speed, was used in preference to the 4-speed original as the standard 16 left much to be desired.

Full story of the build and its builder in the June 2017 issue of 'The Automobile'.

2025-10-25 07:45:59 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 10/25

www.iconicauctioneers.com/1938-jaguar-2-5-sports-special-rec16224-1-nec-1125

Auction description:

The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025

Lot Number 319

JAGUAR 2.5 SPORTS SPECIAL

Registration Number HPC 939

Chassis Number 40993

Engine Number L1177E

Transmission Manual

Body Colour Gunmetal Metallic Grey

On offer here is a beautifully crafted pre-war sports car, restored and assembled to the highest standards over an extended period by a highly regarded Jaguar specialist with over 40 years of experience working with classic Jaguars, including the restoration and recreation of traditional coachwork on models from 1912 to 1939.

Registered in Surrey on 1st December 1938, HPC 939 began life as an SS Jaguar 2½-Litre Saloon. During its transformation into an 'SS100' Special, many original mechanical components - engine, front and rear axles, steering and brakes - were retained in order to preserve its identity. In period, many mechanical parts were common between saloon and sports models, and the chassis was refurbished and modified to exact SS100 dimensions and specification.

The complete body is an SS100 unit, which was fully dismantled and rebuilt. The Ash frame was carefully refurbished using most of the original timbers, with additional Ash sections added to strengthen what was originally a notoriously fragile structure and the original aluminium skin was repaired and refitted, with only the sill sections requiring replacement.

Additional original components sourced for the project include the radiator shell, stone guard, bonnet, all four wings, fuel tank, headlamps, ‘owl’s eye’ tail lamps, instruments and steering wheel with its centre horn push and controls - each item fully refurbished. In the interest of safety, the tail lamps and front sidelamps were modified to incorporate discreet flashing indicators. The original cigar lighter remains on the dashboard, with a supplementary negative-earth socket for SatNav use tucked out of sight.

The original engine, #L1177E as still recorded on the V5C, has been fully rebuilt by a leading marque specialist. A sympathetic concession to modern motoring is the fitment of a 5-speed gearbox, commonly adopted in restored SS100s, offering a significant improvement over the Standard 16 gearbox, with well spaced ratios and excellent usability. The steering box was refurbished with new internals by Hollman Engineering, eliminating the wayward steering for which many SS100s are known and the brake drums were skimmed and the shoes relined with high-friction material for improved stopping performance.

Now finished in Gunmetal Grey, the paint has been carefully matched to preserved fragments of the factory finish and likewise, the interior has been retrimmed in high quality leather and carpet, colour-matched to original material remnants. A full set of weather equipment is supplied, including a hood, side screens, tonneau cover and hood bag.

A detailed summary of the build accompanies the car in the history file, and its creation was the subject of a feature in The Automobile magazine (June 2017), which is also included. Prospective buyers are encouraged to study this fascinating documentation at the NEC.

Once completed, the car returned to the road in July 2015. It was carefully run in and subsequently enjoyed on numerous tours of Wales and the North West, covering just over 2,000 miles. During current ownership, it's benefitted from work by respected Jaguar specialist, William Heynes, including a full cylinder head rebuild, converted to run on E5, distributor rebuild, carburettor rebuild including vacuum advance, suspension and brakes, upper steering wheel column, a bonnet repaint and a full inspection. We are informed that it has proved comfortable, reliable and easy to drive.

Presented in immaculate condition, this remarkable 'SS100' Special showcases exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, reflecting the passion and skill of its restorer. It represents a rare opportunity to acquire a superbly executed example at a fraction of the cost of a genuine SS100, or what it would take to replicate to this standard today.

Correctly registered on the V5C as a Jaguar Sports with its original 1938 Surrey registration number, this is a truly special motor car, and we recommend that interested parties view it for themselves at the NEC.