Yet another Classic Motoring Auction is due to take place at the Leominster branch of Brightwells on Wednesday 12th July, offering some shining examples of pre-war delicacies from both sides of the Atlantic.
From Blighty we have a humble 1927 Austin Seven ‘Chummy’ in bright red, nicknamed as such due to its four seats and touring ability. Regarded as a practical, cost effective and exciting way to gain access to the pre-war scene, the basic simplicity and cute looks – paired with willing performance for its time – leaves anyone lucky enough to drive one head over heels.
There are a handful of Sevens going under the hammer at next week’s auction. Seeing the appeal of owning one of these highly popular British cars is easy. However, choosing which particular one to take home is much more difficult!
In the same year that the afore mentioned Austin Seven left the factory gates, Sir William Lyons, co-founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company, saw a business opportunity in re-bodying Austin Sevens and providing a more unique motorcar, whilst retaining the chassis and mechanicals that had made the Seven such an overwhelming success. Probably working to the ethic of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, William Lyons eventually commissioned over 3,500 re-styled Austins, which in turn provided the financial backing to produce his first automobile – which happens to be in the listings too.
Thought to be the oldest road-going Jaguar saloon in the UK, of which only 5 exist from this model year, this 1936 SS 1.5 Litre Saloon was constructed a year after the first car had left the production line. The 1609cc side-valve engine was supplied by the Standard Motor Company and was credited for its ‘sweet running’ ability. The 1.5 Litre Saloon looked so radical and upmarket that it quickly gained itself the nickname ‘Wardour Street Bentley’. Far cheaper than a Bentley, over 10,000 1.5 Saloons found enthusiastic owners, but with examples so thin on the ground in the current day, healthy examples are highly cherished. Early models were coach-built in Ash wood rather than steel, making this particular example even more unusual. A previous owner has upgraded the engine to a Ford 1600 OHV Kent Cross-Flow, and an original engine, from a different 1.5, is supplied with the sale.
From across the pond, this 1926 Hudson Super-Six Phaeton was very quickly exported to Australia and has subsequently spent the majority of its life there. The Super-Six was renowned for exceptional performance, even making it into the records books, when in April 1916, Ralph Mulford set a speed record of 102.53mph on Daytona Beach, Florida. The example on offer at the up-coming auction is a second series vehicle, with a 4.7 Litre straight-six power unit under the bonnet. Meanwhile, two metal badges add a historical touch to the wooden dashboard, one of which commemorates the Hudson’s time in Australia and one as a club badge from the UK.
Also from the land of the free, although expected to fetch less than the British ‘Chummy’ despite being three times the size, is a 1924 Dodge 116 Tourer, expected to fetch between £8k and £10k. Dubbed the 116 in reference to it’s wheelbase, it was the first vehicle to be built by the Dodge Motor Company after the founding members, the Dodge Brothers, tragically died within the same year. This is the model that effectively saved the famous American manufacturer from financial ruin. The 116 model was frequently used in long-distance events whilst offering impressive levels of torque alongside a reputation for being virtually indestructible. This particular 116 comes with the ‘Traveller’s Feature’, providing a full-length double bed within the cabin when the front seats are folded down. A somewhat vintage take on the idea of a caravan!
Text by Gillian Carmoodie, Images courtesy of Brightwells |
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Best of British and a slice of apple pie at Brightwells
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