Forerunner of the 'Jaguar' marque, 'SS' originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley in 1922.

The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis.

The design was the work of Walmsley's business partner, William Lyons, whose future Jaguar creations would confirm his reputation as one of the British motor industry's most gifted stylists.

The SS1, launched in 1932, is a close-coupled coupé based on the Standard Ensign 16hp.

The chassis and body were designed by Lyons; a long bonnet, tiny passenger compartment and helmet-type front wings imply the ultimate in high performance of the time and this is what ultimately created a blueprint for Jaguars of the future, combining sporting good looks with a better-than-average specification.

Indeed, so successful was Lyons' new venture that production of Swallow-bodied ...