Name that car

[David Davies]

Yes the full story of the car and Clarke Bros is set out in 10-page history with additional photos. When I got the car from a dealer there was just one garbled sentence. I love researching car histories, hence the Jensen book. Fascinated by early garages too.

A few more Name That Car from the the archives shortly.

[David Davies]

P.S. Sorry SRD, didn't spot your post earlier. Certainly the Wizards are very scarce indeed although strangely the week after I completed my history of the Riley and Clarke Bros, a Wizard drophead turned up in Panorama Bay dealership in Poole. I am not sure of the exact numbers on Minxes and Aero Minxes (perhaps only 1 or 2 % of those made) but you do see them at car shows sometimes, for example the NEC. I love these 1930s everyday cars (the Minxes) when doing 40 mph was quite an experience, and 50 mph positively frightening. The Aero Minxes are much sought after, not surprisingly, but I'm not sure I'd fit in one!

[David Davies]

Coming back on Mike Williams question the other day, the standard saloon bodies were made by Pressed Steel. The sports saloons, tourers and coupe-cabriolets were constructed by Thrupp & Maberley, the London coachbuilder that Rootes had owned since 1925. A bare chassis could however be ordered for coachbuilt bodies. Most Aero Minxes were also made by Thrupp & Maberley but many were also given bespoke bodywork. These points are noted in the excellent little book Hillman Cars by James Taylor, published Shire Publications. In 60 pages he covers the history of Hillman and all the various models extremely well (£7.99).

[Dion]

Certainly the Wizards are very scarce indeed although strangely the week after I completed my history of the Riley and Clarke Bros, a Wizard drophead turned up in Panorama Bay dealership in Poole. I am not sure of the exact numbers on Minxes and Aero Minxes (perhaps only 1 or 2 % of those made) but you do see them at car shows sometimes, for example the NEC. I love these 1930s everyday cars (the Minxes) when doing 40 mph was quite an experience, and 50 mph positively frightening. The Aero Minxes are much sought after, not surprisingly, but I'm not sure I'd fit in one!

I believe there is a Wizard owner (Rootes75) on another forum (https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/) where you may also find the story of an Aero Minx restored.

[felixkk]

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[David Davies]

I've always been a sucker for the very low mileage time-warp classic. The story of this 18,000-mile car I used to own begins when a Staffordshire dairy farmer in his mid 50s wanted to cut a dash with his bride to be, trading in his A35 Van for this brand new model in Cherry Red, offered only in the first year of production There are now only 6 or 7 of this Mk on the road in the UK. The confetti from the wedding remained in the car throughout his 20-year ownership of the car.

What make, model and mk is this rare car and what year is it? The individual rear leather seats were only made in this particular Mk of the model.

Rear light.jpg (72.58 KiB) Viewed 2030 times

Rear seats.jpg (147.41 KiB) Viewed 2030 times

[Martin R]

It looks like a Vanden Plas Princess or Austin Princess 3-litre to me. The vertical lights suggest it not to be the 4-litre R which had horizontal ones.

[David Davies]

OK Martin, I'm very glad I haven't been bowled out for a duck. No, not a Vanden Plas - the Princess and Princess 3 Litre had vertical light but not like these

[SRD]

Perhaps a 1959 Farina MG Magnette Mk III

It has the unusual rear light lens and the very nice rear seating arrangements and characteristic door cards and chrome handles and arm-rest

[VFK44]

I would vote for a Wolesley or Riley badged Farina.

[David Davies]

Yes, genius SRD! It is a 1959 MG Magnette MkIII. The MG Magnette MkIV had a bench rear seat as did the MkIII and MkIV Riley and Wolseley Farinas.

I found it surprisingly sporty and perky despite road test reports and made a great sound. This one passed into the second ownership in 1978 at 13,000 miles. The owner had three other classics including an E-Type and a Riley RMA so the MG just saw local show use, clocking up a further 3,600 miles in the next 36 years.

I grew to love the Farinas in the back of my uncle’s Austin Cambridge in the 1960s as he used to top 65 mph on a bypass near Southport. On one visit North my father’s Riley RME had boiled up on the Cranborne Chase so we had to be transported back to Poole. Next day we hired a Vauxhall Viva HA which I have to say did an absolutely sterling job. I still have a soft spot for them. Even my mother, who was never known to exceed 38mph when driving the Riley, was cruising in the Viva at over 65 on the motorway and had to be reigned in by Dad eventually.

[Martin R]

I had totally forgotten that those MG's were so luxurious!
Similar family to the Princess though

[David Davies]

A more difficult one. Newport on the Isle of Wight. 1922. Does anyone know what the make and model of the car is?

1922 Newport Isle of Wight.jpg (98.32 KiB) Viewed 1964 times

[DaveT]

Trojan ?

[David Davies]

I can see why you would say that Dave but no it's not a Trojan.