Company First Steps in Jaguar History
Added on 08-29-2006
Soon it came the time in Jaguar history when William Lyons was no more content to merely build bodies on other people's chassis. This constrained his creative desires and equally restricted him to products which were stolid rather than sporting.
If Lyons and Walmsley were to throw off these shackles, they needed to create their own chassis to suit their ends. However, the industry was littered with failures and Lyons determined that a cautious approach was reasonable. Subsequently, he arranged for the Standard Motor Company to create a chassis to Swallow's design but equipped with Standard engines. The outcome was SS model - new car that's going to thrill the hearts of the motoring public and the trade alike. It's seemed to be something utterly new, better!'
Thus announced SS I and SS II Coupes were accordingly introduced to the 1931 London Motor Show; and in fact those models caused a sensation, played important role in company history. The body was designed ultra low and the bonnet outrageously long. SS model possessed genuinely the £1,000 look, while was priced at a very modest £310, highlighting Lyons' unique ability to offer remarkable value for money.
Lyons was almost keen about making his cars as low as possible and did his best to stick to his principle. Lyons managed to achieve this long, low, sporting appearance by moving the engine further back in the chassis; subsequently this became normal practice and by mounting the road springs alongside as well. The SS II, which appeared alongside and was inevitably over-shadowed by the gloss of SS I, was simply a smaller version basic model. Soon after the unveling of the new SS models the company decided to issue the larger 2552cc 20 hp Standard engine; For 1933 a number of revisions were introduced to make the larger car a little more practical.
Lengthening the wheelbase by seven inches and widening the track by two, allowed two passengers to be carried in the rear.
In July 1933 the company history was marked by SS I Tourer coming up which joined SS I Coupe, and apart from being the first open SS model; the significance of the Tourers was that they were the first to claim serious competition. A team of three Tourers was introduced in the 1933 Alpine Trial in mainland Europe and the following couple of years they enhanced the SS name very considerably given they took the team prize in this particular tough event.
The little SS II was considerably improved in late 1933 when it was given its own purpose-designed chassis which made a wheelsbase more than a foot longer. The front wings were adapted to conform to the new style and conditions of the larger model.
Also, following the form of the SS I, Saloon and Tourer models of the SS II were introduced. For 1934 a new saloon was added to the model line-up known as a four light or four windows saloon. The new Saloon ...
If Lyons and Walmsley were to throw off these shackles, they needed to create their own chassis to suit their ends. However, the industry was littered with failures and Lyons determined that a cautious approach was reasonable. Subsequently, he arranged for the Standard Motor Company to create a chassis to Swallow's design but equipped with Standard engines. The outcome was SS model - new car that's going to thrill the hearts of the motoring public and the trade alike. It's seemed to be something utterly new, better!'
Thus announced SS I and SS II Coupes were accordingly introduced to the 1931 London Motor Show; and in fact those models caused a sensation, played important role in company history. The body was designed ultra low and the bonnet outrageously long. SS model possessed genuinely the £1,000 look, while was priced at a very modest £310, highlighting Lyons' unique ability to offer remarkable value for money.Lyons was almost keen about making his cars as low as possible and did his best to stick to his principle. Lyons managed to achieve this long, low, sporting appearance by moving the engine further back in the chassis; subsequently this became normal practice and by mounting the road springs alongside as well. The SS II, which appeared alongside and was inevitably over-shadowed by the gloss of SS I, was simply a smaller version basic model. Soon after the unveling of the new SS models the company decided to issue the larger 2552cc 20 hp Standard engine; For 1933 a number of revisions were introduced to make the larger car a little more practical.
Lengthening the wheelbase by seven inches and widening the track by two, allowed two passengers to be carried in the rear.
In July 1933 the company history was marked by SS I Tourer coming up which joined SS I Coupe, and apart from being the first open SS model; the significance of the Tourers was that they were the first to claim serious competition. A team of three Tourers was introduced in the 1933 Alpine Trial in mainland Europe and the following couple of years they enhanced the SS name very considerably given they took the team prize in this particular tough event. The little SS II was considerably improved in late 1933 when it was given its own purpose-designed chassis which made a wheelsbase more than a foot longer. The front wings were adapted to conform to the new style and conditions of the larger model.
Also, following the form of the SS I, Saloon and Tourer models of the SS II were introduced. For 1934 a new saloon was added to the model line-up known as a four light or four windows saloon. The new Saloon ...
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