1935 S.S.90: Lyons' first sports car

The S.S.90 of 1935 was Lyons’ first true sports car, and so named to imply its anticipated top speed. The model’s chassis was essentially that of the revised S.S.1 with an underslung rear and 15 inches extracted from its central section. The engine, the 2.6-litre unit with a bore and stroke of 73 mm x 106 mm, had been mildly modified and now developed around 75 bhp. The side-valve cylinder head had been retained although the camshaft was peculiar to the model, and the aluminium cylinder head was an S.S. fitting.

The really significant aspect of the 90 was the bodywork. It was extremely low with wide stylish wings and a very exposed cockpit. Only the prototype had a well finished, rounded tail with the spare wheel concealing the petrol tank which was contained within the bodywork. All production S.S.90s featured an exposed tank and wheel, the original design probably being dispensed with on the grounds of cost.

The 90 sold for a competitive £395, considerably cheaper than the Frazer Nash and Aston Martin models. Sales were, however, disappointing, no doubt due to the limitations of its side-valve power. Even the cheapest sports cars of the day, namely the Singer Le Mans and MG Midgets, featured overhead camshafts.

Lyons was acutely aware of the limitations of the Standard engine and, even though the 90’s top speed was nearly 90mph, he was determined to improve the performance. One of the ideas he contemplated was the use of an American engine. Henly’s, who had obtained the British concession for the Studebaker Corporation, sent a Commander model to the S.S. works for evaluation. Another option was the addition of a Zoller supercharger, and at least one engine was accordingly modified.

It was, however, thanks to Lyons’ association with the Coventry Motor Cylinder Company, who made the firm’s aluminium cylinder heads, that he met the freelance gas-flow expert and engine specialist Harry Weslake. Weslake immediately suggested the use of overhead rather than side valves to improve performance.

When, in May 1935, an experimental version of the 2.6-litre engine utilising Weslake’s new cylinder head design was run, it produced 103.3 bhp at 4400 rpm - far in excess of Lyons’ requirement of 95 bhp. This engine was to be used in the SS100.

In total 24 S.S.90s were produced before production ceased in 1939.