Description
The SS1 was built by the Swallow Sidecar Coachbuilding Company in Coventry and first presented to the public at the 1931 London Motor Show. The six-cylinder sidevalve engine and gearbox which came in 15hp and 20hp variants, was fitted to a chassis designed by William Lyons and supplied exclusively to Swallow by the Standard Motor Company.
The car was in production for 5 years, with styling and engine revisions in 1933 and again in 1934, featuring a modified chassis and enlarged engines, together with a further re-style. By the last year of its production – 1936 – it is believed around 2, 500 examples of this final version had been made.
The Swallow Sidecar company went on to become SS Cars with models such as the SS Jaguar 100, which subsequently became the well-known 'Jaguar' marque after the 2nd World War.
This car was delivered new in May 1935 to one Mabel Boll (‘The Queen of Diamonds’) - who at the time was Countess de Porceri, having married Polish Count Henri de Porceri, in Paris, in 1931. She was a well-known American socialite who had a string of wealthy husbands and had been involved in the late 1920’s in the early days of record-chasing, long distance aeroplane flights. She was known to be a friend of Emilia Earhart and the car was at one time advertised as having belonged to Earhart but as yet, there is no documentary evidence to verify this.
Little of the subsequent early history of the vehicle is known, other than more recently it was in single ownership in Honolulu for some decades (1964 Hawaii registration sticker on windscreen), prior to being repatriated to the UK, part restored, via a California dealer in 2013. Over the following six years the Jersey-based owner commissioned a comprehensive restoration of the vehicle to concours condition in our workshops – the car finally being ready to take to the road again in 2019.
This 1935 20hp model uses the enlarged Standard engine of 2663cc, introduced in 1934, with alloy cylinder head, improved manifolds and a gearbox which had gained synchromesh. This gave a claimed 68 bhp and top speed of 75 mph. The late model chassis employed a wider track and better front footwells.
The car is in near-concours condition – the bodywork has been subject to a complete restoration with a new ash frame and panel work as required, plus a full re-paint in the original colour. Chrome fittings have been refinished to a concours standard and the hood and side screens are also new. The interior has been fully refinished to an ‘as-new’ condition with new leather trim and carpets; refurbished steering wheel and instruments. The engine was fully rebuilt and the running gear completely refurbished, with any work required being undertaken. Recently serviced and given a mechanical checkover, the car runs and drives very well, as might be anticipated in these circumstances.
An excellent, fully restored example of a stylish 1930’s sports car from a famous maker. It has some additional historical cachet because of its first owner and comes with a Jaguar Heritage certificate and original owner’s handbook. The car is in first class driving and ‘show’ cosmetic condition, having had very limited use since restoration.
The car is currently Jersey registered and we can assist with shipping and importation processes if required. We can ship worldwide.
