Jaguar - Jaguar SS100
The SS100 was a two seater sportscar available from 1936, the 100 suggesting it capable of 100mph. The original 2 1/2 litre could not quite manage this but the later 3 1/2 litre cars introduced in 1938 could just exceed the magic ton. These SS100's were built on a shorter version of the SS1 chassis frame (as first used on their "90") with engines that had new overhead valve cylinder heads.
Jaguar SS100 tyre size was 5.50x18 and Blockley manufacture the perfect 5.50x18 with Triple stud pattern. We also make a 5.50x18 tyre with our "A6C" tread pattern for those who may prefer this pattern, although we would suggest the Triple stud tyre for the SS100. Both there 5.50x18 tyres are the same dimensions, and price. For those wanting a slightly larger non standard size we also have the 600/650x18 size. See details of all these SS100 tyres at the links below:
The newer built Suffolk SS100 tyre size was also 5.50x18 in line with the original and we would suggest the Blockley 5.50x18 3 stud pattern tyre. By June of 2004 Suffolk Sportscar Engineering had tested a set of Blockley 5.50x18 tyres after which Blockley became the standard fitment on all Suffolk SS100, and an update newsletter was sent to all previous owners of their cars, recommending fitment to Blockley tyres at the earliest opportunity. Prior to this, the Suffolk SS100's had been supplied with Dunlop tyres from tyre wholesalers Vintage Tyre Supplies.
As quoted from Suffolk Engineering to the previous owners of their cars, "The improvements in the way the car feels on the road is quite dramatic. . . . while the Dunlop and Waymaster tyres were adequate, the Blockley is quite exceptional - I always know when I am driving a car on Blockley tyres. They make parking and manoeuvring easier too - to help our lady drivers! Until this year I had never felt truly confident driving one of my cars really fast. . . . at abpove 70 mph there was a feeling of unease. With the Blockley tyres however the car runs absolutely straight and true right up to the 112mph Jan and I achieved at the Jaguar Drivers Club Woodbridge Speed Trial. During my run I even took my hands off the wheel at over 100mph and the car was rock steady. The road holding is excellent and the tyres absorb road bumps and imperfections with ease."
Today the Waymaster mentioned is still available and the Fort Dunlop factory no longer exists, although the worn out 550x18 mould has been recussitated and rebranded with the name name Ensign, and these are still available from the Classic Tyre wholesalers - which unbelievably cost more than the Blockley tyres! At Blockley Tyre Co. we only sell tyres made by Blockley, along with the best quality correctly sized inner tubes to fit in them. See full details of our 5.50x18 SS100 tyres below - nothing you can buy is this good!
