Upcoming Shannons Auction

With just over 600 ever built and only a handful imported to Australia, it is incredible to think that this 1935 SS1 Airline Coupe has been in the same owner’s hands for 77 years!

Kevin Taylor is the longest continuous owner of an SS1 in Australia and, we’d venture to suggest, the world.

Purchased in July 1946 from a used car yard in Elizabeth St, Melbourne when Kevin was just 24 years old, the SS1 was originally dispatched from the Swallow factory in July 1935. The SS1 passed through a number of hands here during the war before Kevin bought it and, being a machinist and able to keep it going, simply drove the car as it was for many years which included a number of interstate trips.

After almost 20 years of continuous service the gorgeous Airline was benched as family and life happened, before work began on a full restoration after an 11 year hiatus around 1980.

The SS1 Airline Coupe was completely rebuilt and restored back to factory specifications, Kevin tracking down many original and rare parts that had gone missing during its earliest days here. Kevin did all the mechanical refurbishment himself, including reconditioning the engine, while a new timber frame was made, and the bodywork, preparation, paint, and trim were handed over to specialists. Kevin then did the final assembly.

Originally leaving the factory in black and silver, it is now presented in bright red (replacing a slightly darker hue) with pale yellow wheels, it looks simply stunning – like the restoration was done last week, not 40 odd years ago!

The tan leather trim and beige carpets are just as good, the interior now restored to factory specifications after earlier owners had made modifications. Its chrome work gleams, including a pair of secondhand headlights bought in London, and the world “immaculate” somehow seems inadequate a description.

Significantly, the engine runs its original RAG carburettors (most SS cars have been converted to SUs), and recent engine work has included a replacement cylinder head and gasket, and reseated valves.

The SS1 Airline comes with photos of its display at Motorclassica (where it was shown twice), various correspondence from Kevin outlining its history and work done, a copy of a magazine feature on the car, a copy of the Owner’s manual and, rarest of all, a genuine Owner’s manual which is believed to be the last remaining original copy! Amazing. Having owned the SS1 Airline coupe for 77 years, Kevin simply told us: “It is about time someone else should become the proud owner.” Thought to be one of only two SS1 Airlines in Australia, there will never be another opportunity like this one. Previously on Victorian club registration, the 1935 SS1 Airline Coupe is being offered for sale here unregistered. .