1937 Jaguar SS 100 2.5 Litre – Matching Numbers, Extensively Documented and Professionally Restored
This 1937 Jaguar SS 100 2.5 Litre combines one of the most distinctive British pre-war sports car designs with remarkably comprehensive documentation. The vehicle, chassis number 49006 and engine number L1001 E, is described as having matching numbers and presents in restored condition. An existing CT Inspections condition report rates the vehicle 1.25. In addition, a Heritage Certificate and historical documents are included, which represent an important part of this car’s collector appeal for a vehicle of this era.
The SS 100 belongs to that small group of British pre-war sports cars whose appearance alone explains why they have endured for decades. A long bonnet, cockpit set well back, freestanding fenders and a tightly styled rear create the classic roadster silhouette that would later influence generations of British sports cars.
The 2.5-litre model offered here is powered by a 2,663 cc inline six-cylinder OHV engine producing 102 hp. Fuel delivery is handled by two S.U. H4 carburettors. Power is transmitted through a manual four-speed Moss gearbox, which according to the available information is synchromesh from second gear onwards. Drum brakes on both the front and rear axles are also part of the period-correct design.
Production of this model is stated as 191 examples. This limited number, combined with the open two-seater body and distinctive sports car architecture, makes the SS 100 a particularly interesting representative of its era today.
The roadster is finished in black with a black soft top. The photographs show a very clean-looking body with crisp contours and an overall high-quality presentation. The chrome wire wheels are particularly noticeable and are expressly stated to differ from the restored original specification. The car is fitted with 5.50 x 18 tyres. The combination of black paint, chrome details and the low open bodywork emphasises the unmistakably classic appearance of the SS 100.
The interior is trimmed in brown leather, providing a warm contrast to the black exterior. The visible design remains deliberately functional and driver-focused: a large steering wheel, classic round instruments and a compact two-seat cockpit define the character. The CT report rates the interior at four out of five stars, while the paintwork, engine and mechanical condition are each rated at five stars.
Particular attention should be paid to the mechanical restoration. According to the vehicle description, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt true to the original specification. Worn components such as main bearings, valves and valve seats were newly manufactured according to factory drawings. Since completion of this work, the engine is said to have covered only a few hundred miles.
An additionally installed electric water pump is intended to prevent heat soak in the engine. The vehicle is described as roadworthy, registered and accident-free. According to the data, the roadworthiness inspection is valid until May 2027.
The vehicle was first registered in November 1937. The first owner is named as Alan Gibbins. The chassis number is 49006 and the corresponding engine number is L1001 E. The mileage is recorded as 16,965 kilometres, or 10,542 miles; for a vehicle of this age, this should be understood as the recorded or documented mileage and not interpreted as the total mileage without further evidence.
Also noteworthy is the reference to the historic British registration GRM – M37 H. According to the seller, these are still held by the relevant British authority, meaning that re-registration in the United Kingdom should in principle be possible.
The vehicle comes with extensive historical documentation. According to the seller, articles in specialist magazines document the history of the car in detail. A Heritage Certificate is also documented. Of particular relevance is the 25-page CT Inspections condition report with an overall rating of 1.25. The available documentation therefore supports not only the historical classification of the vehicle but also the traceability of its present condition.
This SS 100 combines the elemental aesthetics of a British pre-war roadster with a collector-important combination of documented identity, matching numbers and extensively restored mechanical components. Chassis number 49006 is not merely a static display piece: the rebuilt drivetrain, the low mileage since the engine restoration and the discreet technical addition of an electric water pump all point to a classic that is intended to be driven.
With a stated production figure of only 191 vehicles, extensive documentation and the very strong result of the CT Inspection, this example possesses the qualities that matter most in significant pre-war sports cars: identity, history, condition and usability.
The SS 100 needs remarkably little explanation. You sit almost on the rear axle, a bonnet stretches out in front of you that seems to reach all the way to the next postcode, and everything about this car is a reminder of just how immediate a sports car could once feel. What I find particularly convincing here is that the striking appearance is backed up by traceable documentation and serious mechanical work. The chrome wheels may differ from the original specification, but they do little to detract from the remarkably cohesive presence of this SS 100.
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