Classic Car Catalogue

Swallow Sport 1933

S.S. I
S.S. II

Great Britain

Dwa modele oferowane przez firmę Swallow Sport bazują na konstrukcji Standarda. Na ten rok przekonstruowano ramy, zwiększając rozstawy osi oraz dodano opcjonalny silnik o większej mocy.


SS Cars Ltd. offer two models, the six-cylinder SS I based on Standard Sixteen mechanical components and the SS II which use the Standard Little Nine as a basis. The SS I differe from the 1931-32 model mainly in having restyled wings and more elegant bodystyling. New, longer chassis and optional 20 h.p. engine. The SS II can be called a scaled-down version of the SS I.

IN INTRODUCING the 1933 S.S. Cars, we do so with a filling of extreme confidence that we satisfying the demand which exists for cars possesing not only a distinctive individuality, but also those qualities desired by the discriminating motorist - exceptional road performance, accommodation and comfort.
  The 19333 S.S. I is designed to fulfil the requiremants of the most exacting owner. The grace of line and dignity of the new model embellish qualities of invaluable worth - smooth engine power throug silent gears, a new chassis frame of immense strength, springing providing soft comfort, yet road holding qualities whlch are uncanny, luxurious arm-chair seating between the wheelbase, with the confort of a Pullman coach, spacious luggage trunk, silent coachwork of lasting quality, superlative exterior finish.
  The 1933 S.S. II, possesing many of the qualities of the S.S. I, is a car designed to meet the ideals of those who desire a small car embodying all the most expensive models - luxurious seating for two adults and two juvenile passengers, spacious accommodation for luggage, in fact everything to fulfil the wishes of the most exacting owner.

 

SS I

SS I 16 h.p. (6 cyl, 2054 cc; wb: 9 ft 11 in)
SS I 20 h.p.

 

SS II

SS II 9 h.p. (4 cyl, 1005 cc; wb: 7 ft 7 in)

 
Motor SportJune 1933
THE 16 h.p. S.S.I. COUPE
HANDSOME LINES, A HIGHT CRUISING SPEED AND GOOD ROAD HOLDING ARE OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF A CAR WHICH GIVES REMARKABLY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY.

WHEN the S.S.I. coupé was first introduced at the Olympia Motor Show of 1931 it was felt by many that, handsome as the car undoubtedly was, its appeal was limited by reason of its lack of accommodation for occasional passengers.
In rectifying this possible criticism in the 1933 model, the Swallow Company has not only provided a very comfortable rear seat for two passengers, but in addition has, if anything, improved the outward appearance of the car. So that now, in its latest form, it would be difficult to find a more handsome vehicle at any price (and at £325 it is extraordinary value) than the S.S.I. coupé The luxury hinted at by the lines of the car is not skin-deep, and the finish of the whole car has been most carefully attended to. The upholstery of the seats is unusually thick, the seats themselves slide easily on their runners, facilitating entry and exit, and there was not a rattle to be heard anywhere on the car we tested, although it had actually covered nearly 10,000 miles.
The car was placed at our disposal for a week-end by Messrs. Henlys, Ltd., of Henly House, Euston Road, London, and we were glad to meet there a figure well known to all readers of MOTOR SPORT, Mr. J. A. Joyce, who made so many fine performances both in records and races at the wheel of A.C. cars some years ago.
Driving in crowded London streets revealed the fact that the S.S.I. provides extraordinarily good vision, as both the front mudguards can be seen. The steering on the car we tested was slightly on the heavy side (which we prefer), but for the benefit of those to whom finger-light control is the ideal, we were satisfied that this could have been remedied by the application of a little grease to the joints. All the controls came easily to hand, the gear lever being placed well back, and in fact the driving position left nothing to be desired.
Brief Specification.
Engine: 16 h.p. 6 cyl.,
65.5 x 101.6 mm. (2,054 c.c.),
Tax £16.
Side valves, 7 bearing crankshaft;
aluminium pistons; duralumin Con-rods;
aluminium high-compression head;
coil ignition.
Clutch:
Single dry plate.
Gearbox:
4 forward speeds and reverse.
Silent third, remote control.
Ratios: 4.66, 6.15, 9.75. 16.1 to 1.
Transmission:
Tubular propellor shaft, with all metal universals.
Rear axle:
Spiral bevel.
Brakes:
Bendix Duo type.
Foot and hand work on all four wheels.
Steering:
Marles Weller cam and lever.
Turning circle 38 feet.
Chassis:
Underslung at rear.
Rigidly braced by X shaped member in centre.
Springs:
Half-elliptics.
Front 32 in. x 1½ in. Rear 41 in. x 1½ in.
Petrol supply:
By A .C. Pump from 12 gallon rear tank to R.A.G. Carburettor.
Wheelbase: 9ft. 11ins.
Track: 4ft. 3ins.
Wheels and Tyres:
Rudge Whitworth centre-lock type.
18in. rims fitted with Dunlop tyres, 28 x 5.50.
Price : coupé, as tested, £325.
The acceleration chart of the 16 h.p. S.S.I. Coupé
In order to test the comfort of the S.S.I. on a normal day's run, we set off on the Sunday morning for the West Country, and were soon sweeping down the deserted Bath Road. Beyond Reading the fast curves of the road, carefully super-elevated, allowed us to try out the road holding of the car, and we found ourselves able to take quite sharp curves at 60 m.p.h., the only indication that a corner was being taken a good deal faster than is possible with most cars being a squeal from the tyres. Of heeling-over there was none, and at all times the car gave one a sense of utmost security.
The road hereabouts has some very level stretches, and we found that the maximum speed, without any assistance of gradient or wind, was 72 m.p.h. Incidentally the speedometer was practically dead accurate. On one occasion we succeeded in forcing the needle up to 79 m.p.h., with the aid of an initial downgrade, at which speed the engine remained smooth and the road holding was as good as at low speeds. On third gear the maximum was about 58 m.p.h. but better acceleration was actually obtained if a change was made a little earlier. The gear change was on the stiff side, and all the better for that, and was without any tricks.
We found that normal driving with the S.S.I. produced an average of 40 m.p.h. over main roads, a figure which could be raised by dint of a little effort on the part of the driver. On one occasion we covered 41 miles in 50 minutes, at an average of just over 49 m.p.h. The low centre of gravity, the high-geared steering, the rigid suspension and willing engine all contribute towards this ability to maintain high average speeds without effort.
The Standard engine, a 16 h.p. model fitted with a high compression head, gave the car a splendid performance. Absolutely dead smooth at all speeds, it was also possessed of remarkable flexibility, being able to pull evenly when throttled down to a mere crawl on top gear. From the slowest possible gait the car accelerated smoothly on depression of the accelerator pedal. This excellent quality is largely due to the R.A.G carburettor, which is fitted as standard to the S.S.I. Starting was at all times instantaneous and without difficulty, and the engine proved willing to pull strongly with a minimum of warming up—a procedure often of a long nature on sports cars.
For night driving a pair of massive Lucas Biflex headlamps are used, which provide adequate illumination for all speeds up to the maximum. The driving light is spread over the whole road and roadside, yet without sacrificing the length of the beam, so that 70 m.p.h. can be maintained with comfort. Indeed, the average speed of 49 m.p.h. already referred to was accomplished in the dark, itself a tribute to the illumination available.
When we arrived back in London that night we had covered 320 miles in 12 hours, allowing ample time for meals and sightseeing, and including a call of two hours on some friends at Tewkesbury. At the end we felt perfectly fresh, and our only regret was that we would have to part with such a pleasant motor car on the morrow.
Certainly, at £325 the S.S.I. coupé is amazingly good value.
Motor SportJuly 1933
THE OPEN S.S.1 SPORTS CAR.

IN last month's issue of MOTOR SPORT there appeared a description of a road test of the S.S.1 16 h.p. coupe. We have recorded therein our appreciation of the many excellent qualities of the S.S.1 as a closed car of great comfort combined with high performance.
We recently had an opportunity of inspecting at the showrooms of the distributors of these cars, Messrs. Henlys, Ltd., of Holly House, Euston Road, London, the latest model to emanate from the Swallow Company, namely a very attractive open four seater sports car. The low bonnet-line and beautifully curved wings of the coupe are retained, and are carefully wedded to an open body of extraordinarily comfortable dimensions. The scuttle is raised into two cowlings, into which the instruments are fitted, and a folding windscreen is utilised. Exactly similar seating arrangements as are used on the coupe are to be found on the open model, and one of the outstanding features of the car is the low seating position provided for the rear passengers, who are fully protected to their shoulders by the body-sides. Stability on corners is ensured by the fact that the rear passengers sit well within the wheelbase. The doors are gracefully cut away to add to the comfort of the driver and front seat passenger. Finally, the rear of the car has been well thought out, and does not spoil the appearance of the rest of the car, as is so often the case. A large trunk is fitted, upon which the neat hood rests, and the spare wheel is mounted on the back of the trunk.
We have seldom seen a prettier car, and with the knowledge that its performance is fully in keeping with its lines, the S.S.1 open four seater will have a strong appeal to all discerning motorists. The price asked, £325 for the 16 h.p. and £335 for the 20 h.p. model, is absurdly cheap.