Jaguar SS100 3.5 Litre Roadster
Launched in 1938 as the larger-engined version of the SS100, the 3.5-liter model represented the pinnacle of pre-war British sports car design. With its long bonnet, flowing fenders, and beautifully proportioned two-seater body, the SS100 influenced sports car design for decades. The 3.5-liter overhead-valve six-cylinder engine pushed the car to a genuine 100 mph, remarkable for the era. Only 118 examples were built before World War II halted production, making it one of the most desirable pre-war British sports cars today.
Extreme rarity makes finding one difficult. Many have questionable provenance or have been rebodied. Original matching-numbers cars command huge premiums. Check chassis stamping and engine numbers carefully. Body restoration is complex and expensive due to hand-formed aluminum panels. Verify authentic period accessories.
Production ran from 1938 until war stopped production in 1940. Built by SS Cars Ltd before the company changed its name to Jaguar in 1945. Each car was largely hand-built. The 3.5 replaced the earlier 2.5-liter version which produced only 104 hp.