Beschreibung
For sale is my 1928 Rosengart LR2 Torpedo Sports. This is a French licensed copy of an Austin 7 (similar to the Dixi from Germany and bantam from the US). Although the Rosengart was originally a licensed copy of an Austin 7 it had largely metric fixings and some advancement over the Austin in so much as larger diameter crankshaft and beefier steering components. It still retained the manifolds on the same side as an Austin. The Torpedo Sports was akin to an Ulster.
Lucien Rosengart was a French engineer, whom during the First world war helped design munitions for the French Government alongside Andre Citroën's company. By the end of the First World War, he'd become a skilled businessman and helped both Peugeot and Citroën stave off bankruptcy. Involvement with these companies led Rosengart to think of building his own car.
The early Rosengart cars were licensed copies of the British Austin 7. This model, the LR2, was dressed up in various ways using various styling techniques and remained in production for quite some time - surviving as the vastly face lifted LR4 and Vivor long after the British car had been consigned to history.
I acquired SV 7529 in August 2014 from Neville Barr in Derby. Neville had purchased the car in 2002 from Paul Smith and had originally campaigned her extensively with the pre war Austin 7 club and in the Bert Hadley Championship before using her for rallies and shows. Paul Smith bought the car in a dismantled state from someone that he met at Beaulieu who had it for many years after discovering her in France with the intention of restoring her but working in Sweden with a pending move to Scotland and an inviting offer from Paul persuaded him to sell. Paul restored her with help from the Rosengart museum and the Rosengart owners club in France. Despite the language barrier he did a great job as can be seen.
Neville named the car Annette after a friend of his, we continue to call her Annette today.
Since Nevilles ownership I have competed in VSCC race events at circuits such as Silverstone, Cadwell and Mallory Park for a couple of seasons. I won the Burghley Trophy at Mallory Park, coming 3rd overall. I have also used the car for regular runs out around Yorkshire with the family.
Works completed in my ownership include full re-wiring the car back in 2018 due to aged wiring perishing, upgrading the fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel pipes at the same time.
There are 2 Rosengart engines that are with the car, both magneto engines with distributor conversions. The one currently fitted has phoenix crank and rods built by Vince Leek. The other is a more standard engine which I haven’t used but is in good condition. The gearbox fitted has similar to Ulster ratios with an aluminium cast Eltos remote gear change extension. There is also a second Rosengart gearbox. All the castings (crankcase and gearbox) have 'Rosengart' cast in raised letters.
Price is without spare engine and gearbox etc. Spares available with the car for an additional amount.
The car is currently fitted with Austin 7 hubs and 19” wheels. I have a set of Rosengart hubs and wheels (plus spare wheel). There is also a spare starter motor, 2 dynamos (alternator currently fitted) and various bits such as wheel discs. There are a number of documents and previous receipts.
The car is located near Brough, East Yorkshire. Any questions please feel free to ask.
I am open for offers. I am also happy to sell spares separately if interested.
Please feel free to ask any questions
