SS Jaguar 1.5-Litre

As one of the largest specialists in the country it is always an exciting time when new Jaguars arrive but rarely do we have the pleasure of handling one of these magnificent saloons. Swallow Sidecars was formed by William Walmsley and William Lyons in Blackpool in September 1922.
Quickly progressing from sidecars to modified bodies, some of the first car designs were re-works of Austin 7’s. In 1928 the company relocated to Coventry and began to produce a small run of cars on FIAT chassis followed by Standards and then Swifts, further developing the Swallow Sidecar and Coach building Company’s growing reputation. It was when Swallow commissioned the Standard Motor Company to produce a modified Standard Sixteen chassis that the company’s fortunes began to gather pace with a series of exciting and unencumbered designs, the first of which was the Swallow Sports (SS) I of 1931. Several technical improvements would follow to improve the Swallows unique selling point of the proceeding years but it was perhaps the aesthetic designs that would elevate William Lyon’s vehicles above and beyond the reach of the competition. William recognised that beautiful design needn’t be the preserve of the wealthy, in fact handsome design was desired by all and he set about delivering cars guided by that very principle. In 1936 William Lyons announced to the world that there would be ‘an entirely new SS’....... 75 years later that entirely new car is with us and available for sale once again.........


Date of Manufacture: 5th November 1936
Chassis Number : 20916
Transmission: Manual
Colour: Black
Trim: Red


This most elegant Jaguar SS 1½ litre saloon has been owned by the current vendor for the last 26 years but was originally supplied to Henlys in 1937, the largest dealer group within the UK at the time. Included in the sale is a detailed history file that records the extent of the investment bestowed by the previous owner (£20,000 since 2007! including invoicing for a brake system overhaul, wiring replacements and the reconditioning of the steering box. This saloon also benefits from a complete engine overhaul less than 200 miles ago. Cosmetically this car has also received careful attention including re-plating of brightwork, re-painting of the coachwork and considerate restoration of interior leather. The wonderful ‘Sunrise’ patterning of the door cards in leather and wood has also been faithfully restored to great effect.

This is a wonderful example of this most rare of SS saloons that just exude the principles that Sir William Lyons held so dear, we feel honoured to be involved in another chapter if its history.