9781422279571

J A G U A R

Swallow expanded their operations to include cars built on chassis provided by Fiat, Standard, Swift, Morris, Wolseley, and Austin. Lyons persuaded the managing director of Standard, John Black, to sell a modified version of Standard’s six–cylinder chassis, and with this, Swallow’s first total car design, the SS 1, was created. What “SS” stood for has never been proven—’’Swallow Sports” or “Standard Swallow” seem the most likely candidates—but with its long hood and low–slung lines, the car proved a sensation. Journalists dubbed it “The Car With the Thousand–Pound Look,” but it sold for only $1,550. It was not a fast car, initially. The 16–hp 2–liter Standard engine meant the car took over 20 seconds to achieve 50 mph, and its top speed, when in tune, might reach 70 mph. The SS 1, however, looked as though it could run with the best of the period, which certainly contributed to its success. The original fixed–head coupe was joined in 1933 by a four–seat convertible, the Tourer, which also had a fold–down windscreen and cutaway doors. Later that year Lyons totally redesigned the SS 1 on a new chassis that was 7 inches longer in its wheelbase. The Standard engine was enlarged

The SS 1 Airline was an extremely stylish automobile, with the rear coachwork featur- ing a curved rear roof and a pillarless window treatment.

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