Description

1937 Suffolk Jaguar SS100 Replica

Fabulous project car with Suffolk chassis; VSE rebuilt 3.4 engine; lots of new and ready reconditioned parts; comes with V5C

The Jaguar SS100 is rightly recognised as one of the most iconic sports cars of the 1930s. The owner of this project, an ardent SS Jaguar owner and enthusiast since the 1960s, always held an ambition of owning one of these classics, but it was sadly always out of financial reach of the cash strapped teenager.

However, in 1996 while visiting the NEC Classic Car Show, he started chatting with Roger Williams the director of a company that had just started selling a very accurate replica of this legendary sports car and resolved there and then, despite the justifiably high cost, to one day embark on his own project.

It was not until 2012 that our vendor was able to contemplate purchasing the project, and a full RHD chassis (216) starter kit which included full suspension, bracketry and modified steering rack was purchased directly from Suffolk. Back then, the invoice totalled some £7,500. Over the next few years, a ‘bottom drawer’ collection of the required quality components was established. This started with the purchase of a fully reconditioned XK engine by renowned marque specialists V.S.E. Apparently this 3.4 unit had been earmarked for an XK150S restoration which had been bizarrely curtailed. It features the correct prefix V fast road head with triple SU carburettors and would certainly cost a five-figure sum to replicate at today’s cost. Paperwork on file suggests that this was supplied as a turn key engine, which would have been bench tested but has yet to be installed in a car since rebuild. A later and more desirable XJ6 overdrive gearbox believed to be in good fettle is included.

Further reconditioned parts from an XJS have been assembled to include a full set of reconditioned brake callipers, rear diff, full set of powder coated suspension components to include uprights, brand new set of splined hubs and five reconditioned 18” wire wheels. The lighting set components include the correct Lucas QK596 headlamps with stone guards, rear owl eye lights and correct front Alto horns. The package also includes the all-important windscreen-flyscreen assembly, radiator surround and the complex headlight support bars. Although the project does not include the Suffolk glass fibre central body assembly (still available apparently), the project is supplied with a glass fibre wing set and many varied body components that would help the future owner construct a more authentic aluminium ash framed body if they so desired.

Due to the owner's advancing years and the likely loss of driving licence through medial issues, the realisation of starting or even completing this project seems remote. Therefore, he has decided to put it up for auction.

These well-respected Suffolk SS100 replicas can command high prices when completed. This project is in an ‘oven ready’ state without having the burden of dismantling, cleaning and reconditioning the parts from a donor car which are getting increasingly difficult and expensive to source.

The project has the added cachet of including an old logbook and current V5C, Heritage Certificate and I D Plate from a 1937 SS Jaguar salon acquired by the vendor in 1969. This was dismantled a few years ago because of its poor state and with the intention of using it on this project. Suffolk's comprehensive build manual, along with a photo reference album and numerous magazine articles are also included.

These kits are sadly no longer available so this project presents a unique and exciting opportunity to create something really special.

For more information – contact matthew.parkin@brighwells.com