Launched for 1936, the SS100 was the first real high-performance model produced by SS Cars Limited and used a new Weslake-developed, overhead-valve engine in a shortened SS1 chassis.

The introduction of the OHV unit was considered to justify the adoption of a new name for the series, SS Car’s boss, William Lyons, later recalling '” immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me.' ('Jaguar' would be adopted as the marque name in 1943, 'SS' having by then acquired a somewhat tarnished reputation).

Although a fine touring car, the SS 100 was marketed as primarily for competition work.

Its first major success came early, if somewhat unexpectedly, when Tommy Wisdom, crewed by his wife, won the arduous International Alpine Trial in 1936, beating Bugatti and bringing the fledgling marque to the attention of the Continental public.

This would be the first of many successful rallying forays, including class wins in the RAC events of 1937 and 1938.

A total of 191 2½-Litre ...