Mitchell

US, 1903 – 1923

(1) Mitchell Motor Car Co, Racine, Wisc., 1903 – 1910

(2) Mitchell-Lewis Motor Co, Racine, Wisc., 1910 – 1916

(3) Mitchell Motors Co Inc, Racine, Wisc., 1916 – 1923

Mitchell and Lweis had been wagon builders since 1834, and their first Mitchell car was a light two-seater powered by a 7hp air-cooled 2-cylinder engine, using single chain drive, and priced at $1.200. In 1905 a 9hp engine was used on the Mitchell car, and air or water cooling was available. 4-cylinder engines of 18 and 30hp appeared in the 1906 Mitchell car range, and in 1907 shaft drive was employed on all Mitchell car models. Until 1910, 20 and 35hp fours were made, having pair-cast cylinders in 1910 when they were joined by a 50hp 6-cylinder Mitchell car. In 1913 a new range of T-head engines was introduced in a Mitchell car designed by René Petard and known as the ‘American-built French car’. A 40hp four and 50 and 60hp sixes were made in this Mitchell car range, which had high-cowled torpedo-style bodies and electric starters. Piston strokes were very long at 7 inches. At this time it was said that the Mitchell car company made 96% of all components. In 1916 a short-lived Mitchell 48hp V8 was made, and the following year the Mitchell car company settled down to making a range of conventional sixes of no great distinction. In 1920 a sloping radiator gave rise to the epithet, ‘the drunken Mitchell’ and this was hastily replaced by a vertical radiator for 1921. However, the company had lost a lot of money on their 1920 Mitchell car models, and few of the redesigned Mitchell cars were sold, as they lacked any distinctive qualities.

The 6-cylinder engines of the Mitchell car had acapacity of 4.7-litres. After production ceased in 1923, the Mitchell car factory was bought by Nash.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

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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