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Before turning their hand to the production of highly individual bodies for motor-cars, the Swallow concern had concentrated on very handsome motor-cycle sidecars. Swallow cars became known mainly as stylish versions of the Austin Seven and later the Wolseley Hornet. The initials SS first appeared in 1932, when the concern brought out a rakish-looking coupe-saloon based on the Standard. Eventually, open sports cars made their appearance, using the 20-h.p„ 16-h.p., and 9-h.p. Standard chassis modified to accept the low-slung coachwork typical of the SS of the period. The power units were tuned for higher cruising speeds, compression ratios raised, and higher back-axle ratios used. The two larger cars were known as the SS I, whilst the 9-h.p. car was entitled SS II.
As time went on, the SS tended to become more and more SS and less Standard. Some really fast sports cars were produced and began to appear in competitions. Although the SS concern never raced their products, they had an uncanny knack of being able to produce a well-made, high-performance car with most attractive lines at a most attractive price. The SS sold well on its merits alone, and although often accused of being "soft" by enthusiasts of the day, many of the original cars were still running around in a post war Britain. Although many open types of SS were marketed, the makers never claimed them as being sports cars in the true sense of the word. It was their sporting appearance and high-speed cruising capabilities that gave them that appellation - especially the 20-h.p. car. Some of the Alpine sports series were extremely quick motorcars indeed.
However, with the advent of the Jaguar range came genuine sports cars. The earliest Jaguar was known as the SS 90, and had a six-cylinder, much-modified Standard 20-h.p. engine of 2-3,-litre capacity. Post war the company labelled all their products "Jaguar". Although pre-war cars still used certain Standard components, the post-war versions were built completely at the concern's then modern works at Coventry. |
