The Tommy Cole SS 100
Chassis # 39086
3 1/2 Liter open two-seater
We are delighted to offer this 1938 Jaguar SS 100 3.5 Litre for sale. One of only 116 original 3.5 Litre examples built, this is a proper number matching car with twin spares and a magneto.
Dispatched on October 11, 1938 to Henley’s and later delivered to Sir Everard Talbot Scarisbrick, lord of Scarisbrick Manor, 39086 was registered by Devon County Council as FXX 539. After being placed in storage during the war, Tommy Cole, an up and coming British race car driver purchased the car in 1949 and shipped it to New York aboard the Queen Mary.
39086 arrived two days before the first Bridgehampton road race (the second major road race held in the United States after World War II). As a result of years in storage, the car was totally unprepared for racing. It spent Friday night in Jim McGee’s Garage in Watermill and was driven by Cole to second place in the 100 mile race and continued to race in many other events of the era.
In the late 1950’s Ed Bond of Saybrook, CT purchased the raced out and neglected remains of the car in Alabama. In 1960 Russ Sceli of Canton, CT purchased 39086 and promptly began restoration. Sceli was a notable figure in the formation of the SCCA and dealer in Bugattis.
Sceli’s completely rebuilt the car and on April 1, 1964 submitted the SS 100 Registrar for the Classic Jaguar Association. The original instruments were beyond repair and replaced with new XK 120 Smiths gauges, speedometer and tachometer in a new engine turned panel. A Scintilla magneto replaced the distributor and coil. Sceli states that he purchased the last set of new wings from the factory and completely rebuilt the engine, gearbox and differential. Sceli entered the now “mint” condition car in the 1963 Westport CT Concours and won best of show.
Noted on the registration document, the car was listed for sale in 1966 by a New York City car dealer. Now in the ownership of Carlton Coolege, 39086 made its way to Cleveland, OH and then San Francisco.
John A. Norcia of Canton OH purchased the car from Coolege in late 1975. On the trip from California to Ohio, the car was unloaded briefly at the Barrett-Jackson Auction where someone took a photo of it, which appeared in the Classic Jaguar Association Newsletter.
In February of 1976 the car arrived in Ohio in running condition with noticeable incorrect components and restoration decisions. It remained in storage until 1990 when a serious search for correct spares and restoration was begun. Although most of the “big pieces” were there, it took 15 years to collect all the correct bits required.
The wings acquired by Mr. Sceli required only minor repair. The wooden subframe was repaired and the bodywork was completely hand straightened and metal finished to perfection. Because the car was to be painted black, a very unforgiving color in revealing flaws, this time-consuming process was necessary.
The drivetrain was in excellent condition with the exception of a growling first gear. The engine was disassembled for inspection and showing no signs of wear, was carefully reassembled with new seals and gaskets. An oiling modification to provide increased lubrication to the top end, probably made by Tommy Cole, was left in place.
The restoration of 39086 was completed in late 2007.
Price: $595,000
Inspections and accompanied test drives welcome. Sold as is, where is with no warranty of any kind offered by the seller. Clear, unencumbered title conveys.
Interested parties please contact [email protected] or at (512) 288 8800.
