SW171

SW171 is a rare and historically significant automobile produced by the British manufacturer Swallow Sidecars Limited (SS Cars) in the early 1950s. It is best known for its unique design and its association with the Jaguar marque, which later acquired SS Cars in 1945. The SW171 was essentially a prototype or one-off vehicle, blending elements of both Jaguar and SS styling while incorporating innovative engineering features.

The SW171 was built around a modified Jaguar XK120 chassis, which was a sporty and lightweight design introduced in 1948. The car featured a sleek, aerodynamic body with smooth, flowing lines and a distinctive front grille that resembled the SS Jaguar 3.5-litre sports car. Its most striking characteristic was its use of a "monocoque" construction, a technique where the body and chassis were integrated into a single, rigid unit. This approach was relatively advanced for the time and contributed to the vehicle’s lightweight and stiff structure.

Under the hood, the SW171 retained the Jaguar XK120’s 3.4-litre inline-six engine, producing around 160 horsepower. This powerful yet refined powerplant was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, offering a balance of performance and drivability. The car’s suspension was also refined, featuring independent front and rear coils, which enhanced handling and comfort.

Only one SW171 was ever produced, and it was never officially sold or marketed. Its purpose was likely experimental, exploring new design and engineering concepts for future Jaguar models. The vehicle was eventually sold privately and has since become a highly sought-after collector’s item, celebrated for its rarity and historical significance. Today, it is considered a landmark in automotive design, reflecting the transition between traditional British sports car aesthetics and the modern, performance-oriented vehicles of the mid-20th century.