Introduced in 1938 as an updated version, the SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre represented the pinnacle of pre-war performance from the marque that later became Jaguar Cars. The new, larger engine led to improved performance and a brisk 10-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration time. While the outbreak of World War II abbreviated the model’s run and only 118 examples were produced through to 1940, that figure belies the 3½-Litre’s impact and significance

Rolling off the SS production line on 2 February 1939, chassis number 39103 was painted in Gunmetal and trimmed with a Red interior—arguably one of the most attractive colour combinations available. Earmarked for supplying dealer Wales & Edwards of Shrewsbury, the prancing cat was delivered on 25 February and registered on a Salop number “AUX 471”, which the car still retains today. The car was reportedly sold new to a Mr E L H Dennis.

As recorded on the original “buff” logbook, in January 1954 chassis 39103 was owned by Johnson’s Garage of Birmingham and had been repainted red. The dealership sold the car the following month to Mr Frank V Fellows of Staffordshire. Mr Fellows installed a pre-war SS 100 3½-litre replacement engine, updating the logbook on 21 May 1955. Three years later, the car was sold to Mr Peter M R Walton of Leamington Spa. In 1960, he had the SS 100 changed to green. Enjoying the roadster, Mr Walton parted ways with the car when he sold it to Mr Philip John Masters of Chester in July 1969, at which point the car had been restored and painted in its current shade of white.

Mr Masters had chassis 39103 featured in a December 1969 issue of Motor magazine (available to view on file) and the car was photographed at Stowe House. He sold the car to dealer Alec Norman of Bedford in July 1970, who then entered it into an auction. Chassis 39103 was purchased by the consignor’s father as a gift for his wife in September 1970 and entered the family museum in 1977, where it has remained on static display.

This 1939 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster has spent nearly 50 years on static display and is now ready for the next chapter in its life. It still wears its white paintwork from the late 1960s and houses the correct-type engine, which was installed in 1955.

This SS100 presents a rare and seldom seen chance to restore what many consider to be the quintessential pre-war British sports car.