Maybe that’s the best way to describe the history of this 1928 Rolls Royce. At an attempt to gain a top speed of 100 mph, Henry Royce developed four ‘lightweight sports cars” on the Phantom I chassis. The first, number 10EX, was not really successful (too heavy and a top speed of 86 mph) so three more prototypes were made. 15 EX, 16 EX and the one we have here, 17 EX bodied by Jarvis of Wimbledon. After testing 17EX proved not capable of the magic 100 mph (“only” 99.5 mph!) and was sold to the Maharaja Bahadur of Jammu and Kashmir, who kept it until 1932. A string of wealthy and titled owners followed, but gradually 17EX deteriorated and after years of being stored a first restoration was attempted in 1967. Almost ten years later 17EX was sold to Europe. In the 1990s it needed another extensive restoration, preparing it for Pebble Beach. This truly sporty, elegant and intriguing Rolls will be offered by RM during their Automobiles of London auction on October 28. (photos courtesy RM)

Update by Jan Bruijn who feels that our article about 17 EX the famous 10 EX gets a poor reporting: “Of the 4 experimental Phantom I’s, 10 EX is by all means the most important. It was the first and the only official test car of the factory, the other experimental cars (15 EX, 16 EX and 17 EX) were sold to private parties. 10 EX was tested from 1925 till the end of 1927 and after that used as works demonstrator, lend to influential customers such as Laurence of Arabia and shown at the Schneider Cup races to attract potential customers as a sporting Rolls Royce. While under testing the car came to a top speed of 91.2 mph. The factory kept the car till 1932.” 

This year's Gordon Bennet we all had the pleasure of getting in a few laps of Irelands favourite motor racing circuit Mondello Park. I have to say it was hilarious vintage and veteran cars weaving, ducking and diving everywhere. It was a very nice touch to a fantastic event. If you want to train your vintage recognising system, test yourself on the vintage & veteran parking area (photos & text Derek Wilson)
More about the 2009 Gordon Bennett at the Standard Motor Club site.  

German carmaker Karmann to close its doors on November 1st. Read the news report from Reuters. 

One answer concluded: “This is an easy one”. Easy yes, if you know what you are looking at, as all the answers we received were correct. It was certainly not pre-WWI, but an electric vehicle, the Type 56, made by Ettore Bugatti for his personal use on the grounds of the factory. Later he was persuaded to produce several more for friends and relatives. Power came from a single 28 amp electric motor producing 1Hp, energy was stored in six 6volt accumulators. The numbers produced are uncertain, they vary from 6 to 10, but only four seem to remain today. With so many correct answers, we had to be strict in judging. Except for jurymember Fried Stol, nobody mentioned the years it was produced (from 1931 until 1936). We narrowed it down to four contenders: Christophe van de Burie, Ronald Beckers, Josef Kubista and Thomas Rudolf, who all came very close, but in the end we singled out Josef Kubista who in just under a hundred words summed up what we were talking about. Congratulations Josef with your first win! See you all next week with a new quiz.   Read more

There’s a lot you can tell from a photo like this. No, not about what happens after the guy finished chatting up the girl. What we mean is that the license plate tells us that this fine-looking 1929 Cadillac is on trade plates issued in the first arrondissment of Paris. You know, the Louvre, Rue de Rivoli and of course le Jardin des Tuileries . A great place for meeting a girlfriend, although we hate to think that this is only a set-up for a commercial.

Update II by Anthony Green: "I guess it's the car that's important, but there's no way the photo could have been taken either in the Tuileries or the Champs de Mars, which are both manicured layouts without any through traffic. Judging by the lady's footwear, she's somewhere in town, and my best guess is Avenue Foch - a very leafy and expensive avenue leading from the Etoile down to the Bois de Boulogne. As said, not really the real quiz item, but would like to attempt to set the record straight."
Update I: ooops, a sleeping photo editor (JB) added the wrong photo behind a link. Happily two French readers, Thierry 'Voisin' Auffret and Philippe Becret warned us. Philippe: "Your photo corresponding to "Champ de Mars" taken from Tour Eiffel !! Jardins des Tuilleries can't be crossed by car even in 1928."  

Marcelo Bonafina from Argentina reports that during demolition work prior to the building of their new workshop an old shed was torn down. In the basement they discoverd this 1929 Model A engine block to their suprise. Well what more can you hope for! We wouldn't be surprised if the engine will get a honorary position in the hall or entry. Or maybe even better, it will be secured and overhauled for use in their first racing special built in the new premises? We'll keep you informed. Or check Carrocerias Bonafina.  

One of the most archetypical sports cars must surely be the 1930s MG. With its slab tank, cutaway doors and humped scuttles it set the fashion for many years to come. And still they are much loved by enthusiasts. This one, a 1933 MG J3, will be offered by Coys at their auction on October 23 at the Auto Moto d’Epoca in Padova, Italy. It’s first owner was the Honorable miss Enid Watson, a keen lady motorist. The MG competition department modified the J3 to miss Watsons specifications, including two bucket seats instead of the standard bench. And remarkably they are still fitted. Between 1934 and 1937 miss Watson extensively used her J3 in many rallies and trials, winning two ladies’ cups and two First Class Awards in the process. The main photo shows her battling during the 1935 Colmore Trophy Trial. Check Lot 158 for more photos and information about this lovely J3. (images courtesy Coys and MG-archivist Wiard Krook)  

With regular intervals readers ask us why we allow that Replica cars are listed in our classifieds. Sometimes the word 'Replica' is attached to the ad, sometimes there is no single warning. These readers ask us with the very best intentions to ban these cars from our classifieds. Sorry, but we can't do that.
1. First of all for the very obvious reason that in many cases we just don't know!
2. There is no way to judge all incoming classifieds on qualities or provenance.
3. Finally there is a much more important reason not to ban these cars. If we would filter out the obvious replicars we would involuntary give the wrong impression that all remaining cars are "originals".
That aside, it is impossible to draw a straight line. Even the most perfectly original car built before 1940, one hundred percent sure will contain one or more replica parts in it. A well used, well maintained, but still very original car most likely will contain hundreds of replica parts & materials. Mostly very innocent like: Replica paint. Replica engine oil. Replica spark plugs. Replica wiring threads. Replica grease nipples. A replica air filter. A replica leafspring. A replica camshaft. A replica gastank. A replica windscreen. A replica revcounter. Replica tail lights. A replica body. A replica engine. A replica chassis. Who is to judge where's the end? But one thing is sure. Judging from our office computers would be the dumbest thing to do. From our position there is no way to assess what is original or what is an honest reproduction, repair or a straight out replica, built with the strictly honest or with the darkest intentions. Now let's face it, this is your hobby. You are in command. You can choose to look for an affordable replica of your dreamcar or to be ultimately serious to find the most original specimen available on earth at top money. Also it is up to you to decide if you have enough knowledge and experience to take a gamble with buying. Or that you rather ask friends or well paid experts to assist you. We think that's all part of the game, part of the hobby. We think that listing the obvious replica's is keeping both laymen and experts awake.
Like usual you are very welcome to send your comments.
  Read more

Several photos (from Florida) of an aero engine landed in our office. It’s quite a big six-cylinder overhead valve pushrod with a Ducellier ignition. The engine is 60 inches (1-1/2 meters) long and 26 inches high (just a bit over 65 centimeters). It’s bore and stroke are 4.75 inches x 6 inches (1207 x 1524 mm). That’s about all we can tell you about this mystery engine, but to help you identify it, we have a photo of the left side taken from the rear (click on main picture), one from the right side and one from the left side taken from the front. Please study them and . write us what you think.
For the latest in real UFO's go to UFO casebook or check Ufotube.

Updat VII from: Josef Kubista: “The Walter Major Six is little bit different in bore x stroke dimensions."
Update VI by Geoff Chennells: “Renault 6Q (01 or 03).”
Update V by Erik Hakstege: "I think it is an Walter Major 6 engine. Later the engine was build in Czech as an Avia with fuel injection instead of carburetors."
Update IV by Bert Tressel: "It's NOT a Ranger 6-440 c. I have owned one. Ranger 6 (used inverted) was produced in 180 and 200 bhp. used in Fairchild aircraft. Made in the late thirties and early fourties."
Update III from Mike Crehan: “Looks like a DeHavilland Gipsy Six to me. Used in the Dragon Rapide, DH86 and DH89 Comet. First produced in the early 1930s and developed over quarter of a century culminating in the supercharged Gipsy Queen engines widely used in civilian and military aircraft such as the Dove, Heron, Miles Marathon and Percival Proctor. And it’s upside down in the picture!”
Update II by Robin Tuluie: “… Menasco Buccaneer, built in Los Angeles in the early and mid 1930's by Al Menasco. During this time, more air races were won by Menasco Pirate 4-cylinder and Menasco Buccaneer 6-cylinder powered racing planes than any other make. While Menasco no longer made aircraft engines, they still produce landing gears for commercial aircraft as well as the space shuttle.”
Update I comes from Sandy Sanders: “… close resemblance to a Ranger engine. The Ranger was used in the inverted position. Used in Fairchild PT-19-PT-26.  

Check the endless fields of Herhsey helped by dedicated photographer Richard Spiegelmann who captured about anything on wheels. Check! You can contact Richard here.