2022-06-15 15:55:41 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 6/22

www.bonhams.com/auction/27521/lot/367/1938-rac-rally-works-team-entry1938-ss-100 ...

Auction description:

Lot 367

1938 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster

Registration no. DHP 735 Chassis no. 39054 Engine no. M775

Goodwood Festival of Speed Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia

24 June 2022, 14:00 BST

Chichester, Goodwood

£400,000 - £600,000

• One of circa 112 3½-Litre cars

• Matching numbers

• Believed the car driven by E H Jacobs in the 1938 RAC Rally

• Present family ownership since 1980

The SS 100 offered here is one of three works team cars entered in the 1938 RAC Rally, the others being 'DHP 734' and 'DHP 736'. This car is believed to be the one driven by E H Jacobs. There was no overall winner, though 'DHP 736', driven by J Harrop, finished 1st in the Group 5 category (open cars over 15hp). A Jaguar letter on file confirms that 'DHP 735' (chassis number '39054') was manufactured on 24th March 1938 with engine 'M 775' and despatched to dealer Mr D W Hanley as a 'Rally Car'. The original colour combination was Gunmetal with grey interior. 'DHP 735' is listed in the Classic Jaguar Association's SS 100 Register as one of three works cars in the 1938 RAC Rally (copy extract on file). There is a photograph on file of 'DHP 735' on Blackpool promenade taking part in the brake test, and another of it competing in different event (believed post-war).

The copy of an old-style (1970s) continuation logbook on file lists only one owner: Wallis & Linnell Ltd of Kettering, Northamptonshire from May 1945. It is believed that Arthur Linnell may have purchased the SS 100 from the factory but there is no documentary evidence to support this. The lady vendor's late husband purchased 'DHP 735' from Arthur Linnell in October 1980. 'DHP 735' was repainted in Rolls-Royce Regal Red and re-trimmed in red leather with a tan hood in 1990. Ownership was transferred to the lady vendor in February 2009.

In addition to the aforementioned paperwork, the car comes with a history file containing period photographs (some taken at the '38 RAC Rally); photocopies of related literature; assorted correspondence; old V5/V5C documents; sundry bills; expired MoTs; instruction books; JDHT Certificate; and Twyford Moors' bill for getting the car running in April 2022.

The SS 100 was one of the fastest and best-handling sports cars of its day, as its competition record both before and after the war bears witness to. Representing a rare opportunity to acquire an example of the model that can be said to have started the Jaguar legend, '39054' is eligible for a wide variety of the most prestigious historic motor sports events including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Le Mans Retro, Colorado Grand, Great America, California Mille and many more.