SS 90

The SS90 was a British sports car first built by SS Cars Ltd in Coventry, England in 1935. In 1945 the company changed its name to Jaguar Cars Ltd.

SS 90
Overview
AssemblyCoventry, England
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body styleTourer, 4-seat Coupé
LayoutFR layout
Related
Powertrain
Engine2663cc Straight-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase8 ft 8 in (2,640 mm)[1]
Length12 ft 6 in (3,810 mm)[1]
Width5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)[1]
Curb weight18.25 long cwt (927 kg)[1]
Chronology
SuccessorSS Jaguar 100

The car used a six-cylinder side-valve Standard engine of 2663 cc with an output of 68 bhp (51 kW). The engine differed from the one used in the ordinary cars by having Dural connecting rods, an aluminium cylinder head with 7:1 compression ratio, and twin RAG carburettors. At 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m) in length the chassis was a shortened version of the one used on the SS 1, and was also supplied by Standard. Suspension was by half-elliptical springs all round, with an underslung back axle. The braking system was Bendix.

The cars rapidly gained attention for their elegant sporting styling, but were not well regarded by the sporting fraternity as their performance did not match their appearance. True sports car performance had to wait for the SS 100, which had similar styling and suspension but an engine fitted with an overhead-valve cylinder head.

The SS 90 does not seem to have been tested independently by any magazines, therefore contemporary performance figures are unknown, but it was widely believed to be capable of reaching 90 mph (140 km/h). In 1932 the basic tourer cost £395. Twenty-three were made.

The car was 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) long and 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) wide and weighed typically 2,519.9 pounds (1,143.0 kg).[2] When leaving the factory it originally fitted 5.50 × 18 Dunlop tyres on 18 inch wire wheels.[3] The prototype SS 90, ARW395, was owned by Hugh Kennard from 1938 until at least November 1940. 23 were built, of which 16 survive; the prototype is one of the surviving cars.[4]

Notes
  1. Culshaw, David; Horrobin, Peter (2013) [1974]. "Jaguar". The complete catalogue of British Cars 1895 - 1975 (paperback ed.). Poundbury, Dorchester, UK: Veloce Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-874105-93-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Jaguar SS 90 Roadster". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 30 December 2007.
  3. Paul Skilleter, Jaguar Sports Cars, pp.304 ISBN 0-85429-166-0.
  4. Golfen, Bob. "A CAR WITH STORIES TO TELL". Jaguar Club of Central Arizona. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
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