- Very rare Jaguar progenitor – one of just 624 built
- 77 year single family ownership history
- Thorough, sympathetic restoration
One of the most spectacular fastback sports coupes ever built – the controversial and exceptionally rare Swallow Sports SS1 Airline, that was the forerunner of the famous SS100 and Jaguar E-Type, is being offered at Shannons upcoming Summer Timed Online Auction from February 21-28.
The Airline, whose re-branded Jaguar lineage later included the Post War fixed head coupe versions of the XK120, XK140 and XK150 coupes was not as popular in its era as its soft top SS100 sibling, with just 624 Airlines produced between 1934 and 1936 out of a total of 4,254 SS cars of all types built – a four-seater Tourer, a Sedan or the rare Airline coupe body. All featured a special low slung chassis with a 2 litre or a 2.5 litre side valve 6 cylinder engines, with the marque's name being changed from Swallow to Jaguar after 1936.
Despite the then-prevailing automotive fashion of streamlining, reflecting the Art Deco style of the 1920s, it was said that William Lyons – the stylist and director of the Swallow company he co-founded with William Walmsley in 1922 to build motorcycle sidecars – did not personally like the Airline's rakish lines that were attributed to Walmsley.
With its sweeping wingline and high-class cabin, the Airline by this stage had established itself as a vehicle to rival the best that Alvis and Bentley could offer and the exceptionally rare 1935 SS1 Airline Coupe being auctioned was a real traffic-stopper and is believed to be the only one in Australia.
According to its fully-documented history, the car was sold new in Derby, UK in May 1935 and its first Australian owner was Mr J.S. McCarthy of Redfern in Sydney.
By late 1942 the Airline had been repainted from Black to Red and had moved to Australia, where it was owned by machinist Kevin Taylor for the next 55 years and is now offered by his estate.
We believe it is one of only a few survivors of this rare model , making its sale a very special opportunity for the Jaguar collector at its projected price of $270,000-$290,000.
To view all auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member directly, call the 1300 078 500.