2010-12-20 17:52:24 | Lofty writes:

Seen here:

www.classicdriver.co.uk/uk/find/4100_results.asp

(Zwakman Motors Europe)

"This beauty is the most special Jaguar SS of all and the only genuine SS100 Fixed Head Coupe produced, one of the few Jaguar Crown Jewels.

A one chance to own the most magnificent and well appreciated pre-war Jaguar, and a rock solid investment."

2011-01-16 00:35:58 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:
www.zwakmanmotors.com

2013-01-24 10:58:55 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.ddclassics.com/car-sales/Jaguar%C2%A0SS100-Coupe-Prototype-Earls-Court-Show- ...

Sellers description:
1938
Colour Gunmetal
Jaguar SS100 3.5 litre 2-Seat Coupe Prototype, the actual 1938 Earls Court Motor Show Car commissioned by William Lyons. Breathtakingly beautiful and unique. Rarer than a Bugatti Atlantique and arguably just as pretty. Still finished in its original Gunmetal Grey with Red leather colour scheme, This is definitely one of the most important Jaguars ever built and would be the centre piece of any serious World Class Jaguar collection. 1938 SS100 Jaguar �Grey Lady� Fixed Head Coupe� This stunning fixed-head coupe was one of the most closely guarded �Show Secrets� of 1938. Unveiled to popular acclaim on the SS Jaguar stand at Earls Court, it gave dramatic proof that the work of a British company could rival the finest products of the most glamorous Continental coachbuilders. Years ahead of its time in concept, this graceful closed two-seater was a wonderful �tour de force� of styling that demonstrated the sheer genius of that most naturally gifted body designer William Lyons, the 37 year old head of SS cars. Even more remarkable, the rakish two-seater coachwork was largely produced �in-house� by the SS body shop in Coventry, its wooden framing was meticulously constructed by craftsman joiner Doug Pettifer, then clad in aluminium by an outside panel beater. Priced at 595 pounds, this was the most expensive SS Jaguar ever produced; despite its show stopping good looks, it remained the only example of the fixed head coupe to be built. Many under bonnet components were chrome-plated for exhibition at Earls Court and this extra brightwork is still in evidence today. A keen SS Jaguar owner, Mr Leo March bought the rakish gunmetal coupe �off the London Motor Show stand as a seventeenth birthday present for his son Gordon. Though the cars build records shows that it was supplied through the company�s leading distributor, Henlys Mr March took delivery at the cramped Corporation Street premises of the Coventry dealers Newsomes, run by theatrical impresario Sammy Newsome. Gordon March ran his car, known fondly as the �Grey Lady� until he joined the RAF when war broke out, she was then laid up for the �duration�, but was put back into commission to take Mr. March on honeymoon prior to his posting to the Far East to fly Liberator bombers. At the end of hostilities, when new cars were virtually unobtainable and good second-hand ones commanded premium prices, Gordon March regrettably sold his beloved �Grey Lady� for almost double her original price in order to raise money to start his first business. Her new owner, John J.Sheehan, retained the car until 1953, and she then passed through several hands in quick succession before she was bought in October 1955 via specialist dealers Chipstead Cars of Kensington, by photographer Colin Glanfield. Mr Glanfiend recalls �When I first de-coked the car a 6.75:1 compression plate was still fitted for wartime Pool petrol, I raised the compression to 8:1 running on 102 octane fuel and she was timed at 105 mph by an enthusiastic copper! Early in 1960 I sold� EHP 111� to Jack Bartlett Ltd on the understanding that she would never be sold to America: she was of course!� Found derelict in New York in the early 1970�s by SS collector Robert Danny, in 1976 the Grey Lady returned home and was restored to her original specification by respected Jaguar restorer David Barber in Norfolk. Again exported to the U.S in 1987 the Grey Lady�s outstanding style and condition won the coveted Lord Montagu of Beaulieu award for the most significant British car at the world famed Pebble Beach Concours in California. In December 1995 EHP was offered by London auctioneers Brooks (now Bonhams) and has since resided in a small private collection of significant Jaguars in Holland. �Grey Lady� is not only an outstanding pre-war British coachbuilt sports car but a unique milepost in the remarkable story of the Jaguar marque. Her daring styling was every bit as revolutionary in its day as was that of the XK120 a decade later and the one-of-a-kind bodywork as beautiful as any contemporary type 57 Bugatti or 135 Delahaye � plus her well-validated history makes her the most desirable Jaguar currently for sale. This represent a unique opportunity for any serious Jaguar collection. Available for viewing in our Kew showroom.

2017-03-06 20:57:57 | Anonymous writes:

This is not a matching numbers car as described in the recent advertisements. The engine was removed by David Barbour and sold separately as part of his estate on his unfortunate death.

2017-06-24 10:57:45 | Tom Zwakman writes:

Despite angry tongues of the anonymous swindler above who is trying to make some serious bucks with a fake made up copy engine we do confirm here that all of our car including the engine is complete and together and all original of 39088 and so a genuine and proper full matching number car.
best regards to all real jaguar enthusiasts.
Tom Zwakman.

2017-07-30 16:16:39 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad224331.html
I believe this to be the same seller, updated link only.

2017-08-05 00:13:06 | terry mcgrath writes:

I see one of the doors is being auctioned by Ian Cooling at present

2017-08-10 21:17:26 | Anonymous writes:

No one has been swindled, yet.
Despite failed attempts to obtain and then subsequently discredit, the original engine could be available for a new owner so that it can be reunited with the car.

2019-02-14 10:51:03 | pauls writes:

Current URL, same seller:

www.zwakmanmotors.com/car-sales

Chassis: 39088. Matching #: All matching numbers. Top speed: 105 mph. Engine: 3500 cc ohv Gearbox: Four speed manual. Steering: RHD. Condition: Very good in all respects. Competition history: No. Rarity rank: Collection piece. Produced: One car.

Timeless piece of art and perhaps the most extraordinairy British car ever, she is the one-off Jaguar SS100 works car, it's a lightweight coupe body wearing a muscle straight six power plant low between her fenders, a historical piece that reminds to the days Britain still had it's own car factories and working hands and clever minds, she was introduced at the 1938 London Earls Court motorshow where she was instantly star of the show and sold at the first day, she comes full history from new and authentic restored.

2020-07-09 06:56:26 | David Pettifer writes:

Interesting read , and amazing to find out a bit more of my family history ,

my grandfather was Douglas Pettifer , the craftsman joiner who helped to build this amazing vehicle

2021-09-13 12:35:44 | Wendy Meade( March) writes:

This car belonged to my father Gordon March given to him by his father Leo. Dad took The Grey Lady on his honeymoon ….apparently I was conceived on the first night of their two day honeymoon in March 1945. I’ve often wondered…….

I feel very emotionally attached to this gloriously elegant and superb piece of Jaguar engineering. I’m a Coventry girl ( old woman!) and will always hold Jaguar cars in my heart. Sadly I’ve never been able to afford one. My dad was an engineer and built cars in our garage, raced at hill climbs and I confess to being a bit of a petrol head myself. Such a great childhood messing about and helping him in his garage.

do get in touch if you have any personal information about my dad’s car! wendym@cwgsy.net

2023-05-01 10:00:19 | Sam writes:

My grandad also owned this car. My dad remembers it well We have my grandad pictures with the car that he had framed up in our house. He sold this to start our family business