1937 Jaguar Mk IV

This 1937 SS Jaguar 2.5 Litre is said to have started its life as a saloon before being modified in the early 1960s with bodywork replicating that of a contemporary SS100, reportedly for the then-Lord Mayor of Dublin. The car was acquired by the selling dealer two years ago, after which it underwent a cosmetic refurbishment by Jansen Restorations in the Netherlands that included a repaint in green and repairs to the frame. Power is provided by a 2,664cc inline-six with overhead valves and twin SU carburetors, and additional features include a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel rod-actuated drum brakes, 18” wire wheels, a black convertible top, and black leather interior upholstery. This SS100 conversion is now offered in the Netherlands with photos from the refurbishment, a Jaguar Heritage Trust Statement of Build, and Irish registration. The original SS100 model debuted in 1936 featuring two-seat coachwork with sweeping front fenders, low-cut doors, and a truncated rear profile, and a combined 314 examples of the 2.5- and 3.5-liter variants were produced. The re-created metal bodywork on this example is said to have been fabricated in the 1960s based on that of the 100 model alongside of an SS100 for reference, while the saloon’s chassis was shortened in accordance with the 100 model’s wheelbase. The body received a color change from red to its current shade of British Racing Green during the refurbishment completed by restoration specialist and coachbuilder Jansen Restorations in 2021, which also included welding repairs to the frame. Silver-painted wire wheels are secured by two-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in 5.25/5.50-18 Waymaster tires, while a matching spare is secured at the rear of the car. Additional exterior features include a fold-down windshield carrying side mirrors, headlight guards, fog lamps, a “leaper” hood ornament, and a black convertible top. The cockpit is configured in right-hand drive and houses bucket seats trimmed in black leather along with color-matched door panels and carpeting. Features include a four-spoke steering wheel with manette controls on its hub, a central shifter, and a black tonneau that covers the folded top and rear shelf area. The body-color wood dash panel houses Smiths instrumentation including a 120-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep tachometer with an inset clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 34k miles, with true mileage unknown. The 2,664cc inline-six that was shared among SS Jaguar variants was a re-engineered version of the previous Standard engine, with a new Harry Weslake-designed cylinder head accommodating a change from side to overhead valves. Induction is through twin SU carburetors. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on its top three gears. Stopping is handled by rod-actuated drum brakes at each corner, while suspension incorporates semi-elliptical leaf springs and lever-arm shock absorbers front and rear. The block is stamped with engine number 253177, which the Jaguar Heritage Trust Statement of Build notes was assigned to an SS Jaguar 2.5 Litre saloon built on June 1, 1937. Number 50478701 is shown stamped on the frame in the photo gallery below. Additional photos from the refurbishment performed by Jansen Restorations are included in the gallery below. The photo above is said to show the car being driven during Dublin’s Millennium celebration in 1988 with then-mayor Ben Briscoe as a passenger. The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a country that does not issue titles for vehicles. It is being sold on its previous Irish registration, which lists it as a Jaguar SS100 Sports first registered in 1937.