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Topic starter
28/02/2026 11:56 am
Beginning as the Swallow Sidecar founded in 1922, making, you guessed it, motorcycle sidecars, it morphed to SS Cars Ltd in 1934, building their own cars on an Austin 7 chassis with optional powerplants. From 1936 to 1939, they built this SS 100 roadster along with one prototype coupe. The name they gave for this "100 mph" car was the Jaguar. The Jaguar didn't get its "Leaper" Jaguar hood ornament until 1945 which graced Jaguar road car until 2005 when new safety laws banned protruding hood ornaments. By 1938,the model below, the original 2.5 liter straight 6 was upped to 3.5 liters and fitted with an OHV head producing a respectable 125 HP hooked o a 4 speed manual. Of the 309-314 SS100s built, 49 were exported, and notedly, if you're near my age, one was bought and raced by early TV morning host Dave Garroway who I never figured was a car guy.
This 40 year old Franklin Mint model was, for its age, pretty nicely done. I does suffer a bit from large panel gaps and the 2D applique dash, but I really like the gravel guards on the headlamps and radiator.
28/02/2026 4:46 pm
Thanks Rich. Another good history. I did not know that Dave Garroway raced one. I have a few of these expecting to try some modifications, which I never did. The only jarring point with the Franklin Mint model was shape mismatch in the rear fender curve around the wheels.
Topic starter
28/02/2026 8:35 pm
@david-green You wouldn't think looking at him...
but he was a real gearhead. When I was researching Bill Von Esser's Mexican Panamericana Corvette, I talked with Bill Von Esser's niece who worked after school at his speed shop in Albany Park, Chicago. She talked about meeting celebs like Steve McQueen, and one of the names of guys that hung out there was Dave Garroway who I always thought of as a nerdy guy who did a classic morning show that often featured a chimpanzee name J Fred Muggs! It turned out his hobby was collecting and restoring vintage luxury and sports cars. So... ya never know. and, yes, he loved racing his white '38 SS100.
Topic starter
28/02/2026 9:04 pm
28/02/2026 9:07 pm
01/03/2026 3:11 am
one of my original diecast purchase from FM, late 80s? Was damaged so sold it on and bought a MIB replacement couple of years ago. Thanks Rich
01/03/2026 10:04 am
@rich-sufficool As a young man I remember Dave Garroway and watching his morning show. Occasionally they would go outside in the parking lot and he would talk about his latest automotive acquisition.
David Green and Rich Sufficool reacted