Lot 06: Jaguar 3.5 Litre Saloon

"The 3.5 Litre Jaguar may honestly be ranked among the high-class, high-performance cars of the world" (Country Life) Introduced in September 1937 as part of the revised SS Jaguar range, the 3.5 Litre Saloon was styled by William Lyons. Wonderfully rakish, its all-steel body did without a wooden support frame. Able to seat five in comfort, the four-light design sat atop a box-section chassis featuring semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, 14-inch Girling drum brakes and an underslung spiral-bevel rear axle. Shared with the larger-engined SS100 sportscar, its 3485cc OHV straight-six boasted a seven-bearing crankshaft, twin SU carburettors and 125hp. Allied to four-speed synchromesh transmission, it reputedly endowed the flagship saloon with a 95mph top speed. Trimmed with Vaumol leather, walnut veneers and thick carpets, the model was nicknamed the 'Wardour Street Bentley' (a reference to its popularity among Britain's film-making crowd). Phased out in 1940, just 1,087 are thought to have been made. Finished in black with fawn leather upholstery, this particular example was first registered in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (or so its 'GTN 366' number plate would imply). Acquired by the vendor's late husband post-WW2, the SS Jaguar has remained part of the family ever since. Said to have been used regularly up until its last tax disc expired in April 1967, the saloon has not run for some forty-two years. Barn stored during that time it appears to be substantially complete but now requires a full restoration. As well as having the correct 'SS' emblem and '3.5 Litre' designation cast into its cylinder block, the car carries 'SS' badging to its radiator grille, rear bumper and wheel spinners. Not for the feint-hearted, this rare surviving SS Jaguar nevertheless has plenty of potential.