Quiz Archive

What is it? # 128 (UPDATE: 1910 Métallurgique by Salmons & Sons)

UPDATE III by Dennis Mynard 29 November): "Salmons and Sons built several cars on the Metallurgique chassis in the years before the First War. The car in your photograph was a show model and the following report was published in The Car in 1910. (based on this new evidence we proclaim Radu Comsa winner of Competition #128; he did not have the coachbuilder right but was the only competitor with "1909/10 Métallurgique" congratulations!)

SALMONS AND SONS
The faculty of producing coachwork, which in its lines is different from other competitive designs, and which, in so being, remains faithful to sound and established type, while possessing little advantages all its own is not given to everyone. Yet this is a characteristic of this firm's work to a marked degree, and is abundantly evident in the delightful, yet practical, single Phaeton de-luxe here illustrated. Note the Victoria – shaped panelling modified to a degree more in keeping with Automobile design, an alteration which, from a practical point of view, fits in with the lowness of the seating accommodation demanded with a chassis having a heavily raked steering. The hood is specially noticeable, as the shape is symmetrical and yet practical. It is cut back over the door in order to allow easy access to the interior in spite of the slope and position of the screen, which is rightly attached to the end of the scuttle and brought up well over the driver. A van extension finishes the roof, which thus projects over the screen to an unusual and satisfactory degree. The tail portion of the body is very graceful and contains an extra folding seat. The paining is in dark green, with black mouldings in fine white lines, relieved as will be remarked in photograph by a narrow panel of basketwork. The body is a fitting finish to the Metallurgique chassis, see photograph and description in The Car, No 414, p350, April 27th 1910.

The photograph was taken for Salmons and the Coachmakers Board carrying their name was placed on the ground in front of the car. I have several contempory photos of other cars on variious chassis and all were taken outside the companies works in Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell.

The board in your photograph is the same as in my other photographs and it has painted on it "Salmons and Sons Motor Carriage Builders, London & Newport Pagnell".

David Mynard runs the Salmons Tickford Register and is currently researching a History of the Company.

UPDATE II by Dennis Mynard who is working on a book on Salmons & Sons claims:"The car in question is as you say by Salmons and Sons on a Mettallurgique chassis. It was built in 1910 and was described as a 'Single Phaeton de-luxe'. "
UPDATE: (thanks for keeping an eye on my typos Kit! we changed and added soem ss's to the this piece of text...) We had nine competitors who were right about the make: Metallurgique (from Belgium). However not one of them knew the (very hard) answer to the coachbuilder, which is: Salmons & Sons (from: London and Newport Pagnell). And so far nobody produced substantial proof to put the right year of production. Who can help?

EARLIER: Another glossy hood! Just like the Hillman? we showed earlier this week now this one here is not a mystery. At least to Sender and us. The coachwork is British, the car itself is a Continental quality product. We understand that export of these cars to the UK was a succes. The make was quite succesfull in racing. One of the technical designers left the company to work for Stutz. In 1927 the make was taken over by a famous name in high quality cars. Questions. 1. Make of Car. 2. Year it most probably arrived at the client. 3. Coachbuilder Extra Question: which engineer left for Stutz? (photo source: collection Philip Boval; click for detail; for the special occasion we smudged the coachbuilder's name) Rules:

- send your answer to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BEFORE Monday, October 25

- PLEASE mention in the subject line of your e-mail: # 128

- include, for in case you win: your shirt SIZE, being S,M,XL or XXL and the ADDRESS where we should send the shirt

- unless otherwise stated there is ONE winner

- please mention if you were an earlier winner (1,2 or J)

- THREE time winners automatically become Jury member, but of course there is no obligation in any way

Friday, 22 October 2004