Magazine Review:SS 1 Down Under (Carl Lindner

The Classic Jaguar Magazine for January contains a story about “The Fascinating Tale of a Pre-War Gem in Australia”. The car highlighted in the story is none other than the Special S.S.1 that belongs to the “Lindner Collection”, Barossa Valley, and previously owned by longterm club member Ross Rasmus. The car has led anything but a pampered existence having covered over 300,000 kilometres during its 87 years. The story goes onto the early history of S.S. and Jaguar cars (previously covered in CM September 2020 Edition). In a nutshell, the first S.S.1 was built by the Swallow Sidecar Company in Coventry, England. It was offered at the 1931 London Motor Show and was produced between 1932 and 1936. In 1933 the company became S.S. Cars Ltd and in 1945 Jaguar Car Ltd. The S.S.1 used 6 cylinder side valve, 2054cc or 2552cc engine from Standard Motor Company, 1932 until 1934. The unit was enlarged to 2143 or 2663 cc for the 1934 to 1936 models. The chassis was also made by Standard and changed to underslung suspension in 1933. The 1934 model chassis was modified to give a wider track and better rear footwells. The 1934 S.S.1 four light saloon, 2 ½ litre, 20 hp, was one of Williams Lyons best designs. The cars were remarkable for their styling, low cost, and admired whenever driven. The “Lindner” S.S.1 was built on the 16th of April 1934, one of 846 built in 1934; one of 510 with 20hp motor; and only one of 28 surviving, according to Allan Crouch’s book “S.S.1 & S.S.2 Cars”. The car was originally intended for a customer in Austria and was fitted with a kilometre speedometer. As it turned out, the car actually remained in London and was sold to a Mrs NC De Andria. Two years later the S.S1 was purchased and imported into Australia by Eric Hamilton of Hamilton wines. The car has remained in South Australia ever since. Hamilton sold the car to Dr Cliff Downing and in 1942 the S.S.1 was acquired by Don Grant who owned an Engineering Company in Kent Town. Don fitted hydraulic brakes to the car, a full flow oil filter and repainted the car from the original “Buttercup” colour to Dark Blue. In 1951 the car was sold to a Philip Atkinson by which time the car had reportedly travelled more than 200,000 kilometres. Not long after two conrods failed where he was advised by Jaguar that as they were made of aluminium, they should have been changed every 100,000 kilometres. Atkinson bought and fitted another standard engine that he had rebuilt. The S.S.1 was also reupholstered and repainted British Racing Green. He then proceeded to take some long drives including a 3,500 km drive to Cairns and back. Atkinson went overseas in 1961 and the car was put on blocks and eventually sold to a Mr R O’Malley and then a year later to Mrs Mary Jervis who lived in Kadina. The plan was for her husband to restore the car, but it never happened, and in 1982 it was sold to Club member Ross Ramus who carted the bits and pieces back to Adelaide on two trailers. The story then continues with details of Ross’s major restoration and trip to Darwin and back (previously covered in the Sept. 2020 Edition of CM), and then Ross’s trip to Perth and back for a National Rally. If you can get a copy of the Dec/Jan 2021 edition of Classic Jaguar Magazine, the story is a valuable read as the writer takes the S.S. 1 for a test drive. In addition the article contains lots of lovely photographs of this very rare car. .