Production 1931–36 | Class sports saloon | |
 | ||
Manufacturer 1931–34 Swallow Coachbuilding Company
1934–36 SS Cars Limited Body style in order of introduction —
2-door 4-seater:
fixed head coupé
tourer
sports saloon
Airline sports saloon
drophead coupé Layout front engine rear wheel drive Predecessor Swallow bodied Standard Fifteen | ||
The SS 1, the top of its radiator says SS One, is a British two-door sports saloon and tourer built by Swallow Coachbuilding Company in Foleshill, Coventry, England. It was first presented to the public at the 1931 London Motor Show. Slightly modified it was then manufactured between 1932 and 1936, during which time 148 cars were built.
Walmsley Lyons and Co as SS Cars Limited purchased Swallow at the end of July 1934. In 1945 SS Cars changed its name to Jaguar Cars Limited.
The SS 1 was noted for its apparent value-for-money and its attractive appearance rather than its performance. It used a 15hp six-cylinder side-valve Standard engine of 2054 cc 48 bhp (36 kW) or 20hp 2552 cc 62 bhp (46 kW) from 1932 until 1934 which was enlarged to 2143 cc 53 bhp (40 kW) or 2663 cc 68 bhp (51 kW) for the 1934 to 1936 models. The chassis was also made by Standard and changed to underslung suspension in 1933. With a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), the cars were remarkable for their styling and low cost rather than performance. In 1932 the basic coupe cost £310. Just over 4200 cars were made.
The car was initially supplied as a four-seater fixed head coupé. In 1933 a tourer was launched. For 1934 the chassis was modified to give a wider track and better front footwells. The gearbox also gained synchromesh. In 1934 a saloon version and in 1935 an Airline coupé and drophead coupé were added to the range.
The car was 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m) long and 5 feet 3.5 inches (1.613 m) wide (growing to 5 feet 5 1⁄2 inches in 1934) and typically weighed 2300 pounds (1043 kg).