The SS100 also had a loyal customer base among gentleman racers, like privateer Harry Kemp Place, the first owner of the example offered here. A keen adventurer and traveller Place started his competition career with motor cycles as early as 1925, but over the next two decades he owned and raced Bentleys; a Grand Prix Bugatti Type 51; a Healey Silverstone; Land Speed Record holder Parry-Thomas’s Flat Iron Special and an XK120 which he raced in the British Empire Trophy in 1953.

But his motor racing career started with his SS100, chassis ‘18067’ which he purchased in 1937 and raced over the next two years at Brooklands, participating in the High Speed Trials of 1939 and various other events. The history file contains photos of the car in action at Brooklands on Test Hill and on the circuit, along with photos of Place’s other competition cars
Its next appearance was at the 1961 Jaguar Driver’s Club Rally, at Beaulieu, by which time the colour has been changed to BRG and the interior retrimmed in red leather. Two superb brass plaques mounted on the screen surround record a 2nd Class Award in the Silver Jubilee Driving Tests, and more significantly a 2nd class award in the Silver Jubilee Concours D’Elegance. This suggests that the beautifully patinated paint and leather trim are at least 60 years old, and would surely be eligible for a preservation class concours. It was noted at the time that the engine number was non-matching, and so had been changed at some time prior to 1960.

It would also appear from another badge on the windscreen surround that the car subsequently moved to the South of France as the then owner was a member of the Automobile Club de Nice et Cote. It is likely the car returned to the UK in 1988 when it was sold by Coys of Kensington, and the original catalogue is still in the history file, complete with paddle.
In the intervening years the car has passed through a number of respected classic car dealers, from CARS Howard to Fiskens; several London-based owners and a member of the Saudi Royal Family.

It is rare to find a car of this vintage in such beautifully unmolested and patinated condition, and it retains many original and rare fittings like the aero screens; spotlamps, badges and a very rare ’85 badged bumper. However while retaining all of the car’s period character the current owner has cleverly restored the car mechanically from the inside out, so it is on the button and a joy to drive. He is also in the process of reinstating the original registration number CYB 304 as it appears on period photos and on both Jaguar Driver’s Club plaques in 1961.

Car to be delivered to our showroom shortly. More photos and walk-around video to follow.