Du Pont

US, 1920 – 1932

(1) Du Pont Motors Inc, Wilmington, Del., 1920 – 1923

(2) Du Pont Motors Inc, Moore, Pa., 1923 – 1932

E. Paul du Pont’s company built quality cars in limited numbers, total production being 537 vehicles of all Du Pont types. First of the line was a Du Pont 4.1-litre sv four with their own engine, selling for $2.600, but this gave way to proprietary-engined sixes, initially powered by Herschell-Spillman. The 1925 Du Pont Model D had a 6-cylinder 5-litre Wisconsin engine with overhead valves that developed 75bhp, a constant-mesh gearbox, and Lockheed hydraulic brakes to all four wheels. Its successor, the Du Pont Model E, could be had with a supercharger, but the best-known, and best, Du Pont was the Du Pont Model G speedster introduced in 1928. With its narrow straight wings copied from the Amilcar, Woodlite headlamps and grille concealing the radiator, the last a pioneering feature, the Du Pont Model G was not a good-looking car, but it was a very effective one. Like all the DuPont speedsters it had four forward speeds. The 5.3-litre, sv straight-8 engine, by Continental, gave 114bhp at 3600rpm with catalogued modifications. With the latter, 100mph was guaranteed. In the 1929 Le Mans 24 Hours race the Du Pont Model G proved itself faster than the other American entries, Stutz and Chrysler. Touring bodywork was, of course, available on the Du Pont car, and in 1931 came the long wheelbase (12ft 2 in) Du Pont Model H, built in a Stearns Knight frame. The later Du Pont cars were assembled in the Indian motorcycle factory at Springfield, after E. Paul du Pont had acquired this concern.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

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Railton

GB, 1933 – 1949

(1) Railton Cars, Cobham, Surrey, 1933 – 1940

(2) Hudson Motors Ltd, London W.4, 1940 – 1949

This was the work of Reid Railton, well-known as the designer of cars for the World Land Speed Record, and the Railton car was assembled in the old Invicta works after the company’s activities had been transferred to Chelsea. The Railton car set the formula for the Anglo-American sports hybrids of the 1930s, and the basis of the Railton car was a 4-litre Terraplane 8 chassis (from mid-1934, a 4.2-litre Hudson 8) lowered and given stiffer suspension. On this was mounted coachwork in the British style, and the rectangular bonnet (with rivets along it) and radiator closely resembled those of the Invicta. The result, which Railton car sold in tourer from for £535 in 1934, was capable of 90mph, and the Railton car could be driven almost anywhere in top gear, and possessed startling acceleration: the Light Sports Railton car of 1935 could reach 60mph in under ten seconds.

Mechanically, the Railton cars followed Hudson evolution with hydraulic brakes added in 1936; the Railton cars also grew heavier and more expensive, with saloons selling for £698 that year. Cheaper versions Railton cars were available in 1938/ 1939 with the 2.7-litre and 3½-litre 6-cylinder Hudson engines, and a 10hp baby Railton car introduced in 1938 at £299 had Standard mechanical components. Rather more than 1.400 Railton cars were made; a handful Railton cars were assembled after World War 2, but the ban on dollar imports and a list price of over £4.000 for a Railton car put a stop to the best of the Anglo-Americans.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com