1939 SS Jaguar starts after 20 years in bits

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/ssjaguar.htm

http://www.scottpeter.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ss_jaguar.htm
I only put 1 gallon of petrol in her tank and after an initial few kicks she refused to start until it dawned on me that I needed to pull out the petrol reserve tap. The engine has no timing marks and she spits back due to being far too far advanced. She's also very tappety.

The drive out of the garage was my first experience of driving her and the street scene was the first time of her being out on the public highway. At this stage she had a very noisey rear axle and gearbox and no interior trim.
Video recorded 1993.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SS
• Jaguar
• 1939
• vintage
• car
• classic
• First
• Start
• Up
• 1936
• 1937
• 1938

[hheywire]

sounds like the engine has a nock in it

[pmscott6135]

@hheywire

The tappets were only coursely adjusted at that time.

[pmscott6135]

Thanks for leaving your comments. It's always interesting to hear other's experiences with these cars.

Mine has just returned from the JDC Road Rally. See jaguardriverforums Meet the Ancestors Magazine related

[blonderbonser]

Great car i´m the owner of a Jaguar ss 1,5 1940 ! Every weekend i drive whit it around the village!

Nice video!!! That car devers your care!

[pmscott6135]

@blonderbonser 1940 cars are thin on the ground. Where are you based?

[djbazzmaster]

filmed in 1993 ? good quality for a 16 year old movie .. even has HQ setting!

[pmscott6135]

Thanks to Sony CCD V700E Hi8 camcorder. Now defunct and replaced with a Sony TRV22 DV palmcorder.

[Ogsonofgroo]

These old Jags were/are truely works of art, simply a beautiful car!

[Merilyn557]

My father had a 1939 SS Jag which he sold in 1969 when I was 12. I remember Dad lovingly shining the headlights and the side bars of the hood. Dad would give neighbours a lift up the hill on the running board. Not sure how that would rate by today's standards. My aunt made jaguar patterned seat covers. I remember it cosy to go to sleep on the nice wide back seat when we were coming home from holidays. Dad sold it to a Professor of Russian who painted it white. My parents were horrified.

[blonderbonser]

@pmscott6135

i´m from germany and you´re right my car is a bit thin on the ground.

[digitalbaba1960]

This reminds me my dad garage when i was a kid specially starter sound

[mdlman583]

Better adjust those valve tappets before you break something.Marlo

[jamestheposh]

I love that cranking sound