The Magazine

Daimler Lancefield without memory. ( upd.Double Six ? )

Derek Molloy from Ireland is investgating this imposing Limousine by Lancefield. Although the car is currently licensed for Ireland the orginal registration was DLY258 . Derek only knows that this registration must have been delivered in the period December '36 to January '37. Of course he would love to find out who the earlier owner or owners were; the DVLA can not help.  At last somebody who like to save a closed car! We need to give him some support.

See Read More for other pictures

Monday, 23 April 2012

Flying Scotsman 2012: "anything pre-war"

We must assume that organiser Philip Young of the Flying Scotsman 2012 is an avid reader of this webmagazine. This reliability run from London to Edinburgh is named after the famous train route. The cars eligible :  "Anything pre-war, with a pre-war chassis, and a pre-war engine design." But his sense for marketing is healthy enough to keep the door open for postwar material "with two leafsprings at the front". And yes most participating cars - except a Lancia Lambda - have two leafsprings at the front. Probably also because the entry fee is prohibitive to most owners of transverse front leaf models like Austin Seven and Model T. Still it is a fine collection of  old boys toys.

Sunday, 22 April 2012

About Quiz # 320. 1926 Amilcar CO ! (Update C6)

Sender StuartPenketh from Thailand came up with this very hard quiz idea and expected that nobody would guess it right. However three people recognised the car as an Amilcar. Dietrich-Gotthard, Fredi Volleweider and Kaspar Dortans. However the answer of Fredi was by far the best: "It is an Amilcar C.O. The engine (No. 90025), a 4-cylinder Simca 1200 cc is connected to a 4-speed electric gearbox. The "Coupe" body (Chassis No. 11041) was built by Ateliers De'Grenelle in Paris, based on a Farina design. The car was bought in Switzerland by HM King Bhumibol as a rolling chassis for experimental purposes. The original body proved to be too heavy and was later changed into its present one."
(photos from the book: Royal Automobile Stables of Siam) 

editor: thanks for correction; we based ourselves on available info with the car. We think the numbers mentioned may be the original numbers. You may be aware that after the war some Amilcar'C6' -Simca engined specials were known in racing. This may be one of those. Anybody who can provide further info is most welcome. 

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Round Radiator Racer Mystery. ( 1913 Spyker 25/30 HP !)

Arent G.Westera writes: "A couple of years ago I got this photo. I asked a few people with knowledge of old cars, but none of them could say for certain what it is.
One suggested it might be a Gregoire. Another was pretty certain it is an old Benz.
I would love to hear from somebody who is certain about this car."

editor: the round radiator mysteries are hard to solve. But this particular car should be a wellknown example. One would say it is a factory racer or test prototype. No headlights, canvas or leather wings. No gastank ???? This no standard, run of the mill machine. Due to the long wheelbase it is not the typiocal racer, maybe a lomng distance machine. French? We are eager to hear your opinion.

Update by Kees-Jan Boosman who produced a spot on identificatioon of this 1913 Spyker 25/30 HP, all details match. A prototype or chassis-engine test: "The background and setting looks like The Netherlands to me. Certainly the roof lights above the windows to give adequate light to the interior are an unusual feature and point at a Northern European location. Have you also noted the framed pictures hanging on the outside wall of the building?
This setting in combination with a round radiator raises the question if it can be a (prototype) Spyker.
In the book on Spyker by Wim Oude Weernink (1st edition, page 92) is pictured a very identical 25/30 from 1913 with wirewheels and a bonnet that is not tapered and without any louvres.
Also is the inverted front shackle of the rear spring a feature that was used by Spyker at that time.

Friday, 20 April 2012