Description
This lot will be auctioned via Silverstone Auctions, The Dawn of Motoring Sale 2023 on Friday the 4th of August, The Lygon Arms, High Street, Broadway, WR12 7DU. After the first World War, Lanchester adopted a single model policy and the Forty was re-introduced with a 6. 2-litre overhead-cam engine in unit with a 3-speed gearbox still using epicyclic gears and a worm-drive rear axle. It was very expensive, dearer than a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and to maintain production a smaller car, the Twenty One joined the range in 1924. This had a 3. 1-litre, six-cylinder engine, now with removable cylinder head, mated to a four-speed conventional gearbox and four-wheel brakes. It grew to the 3. 3-litre Twenty Three in 1926. The Forty was finally replaced in 1928 by the Thirty, George Lanchester’s last design with a 4446cc straight-8; only 126 were made before the economic depression effectively killed demand and the Lanchester Motor Company was finally sold to Daimler in 1930. Interestingly, it is still a dormant company owned by Jaguar.
The delightful Lanchester 30, KJ 5595, on offer here dates from 1929 and is fitted with rather elegant, three-quarters landaulette coachwork. It was the subject of an older restoration and enjoyed a colour change from black to the much more cheerful Primrose and Black at the time. In common with most limousines at the time, they designed to be chauffeur driven with a sliding division offering some privacy for the occupants of the rear compartment. This social separation was emphasised by the driver's compartment being finished in a utilitarian black leather whilst the owners and their guests travelled in unbridled luxury.
The past restoration appears to have been comprehensive and to a very high standard judging by the car's current splendid condition. The yellow and black colour scheme is well balanced and the black belt-line tends to make the car look a little slimmer aided by the black fabric roof. The yellow-painted wire wheels, tall chromed radiator grille and the neat folding landau section all enhance what is a very good looking vintage motor car. The rear compartment has been professionally re-trimmed in glorious red leather and looks incredibly comfortable and a pair of occasional seats in matching fabric pop up, offering seating for five. Although technically a 'working area' the driver's compartment has been equally well restored with unmarked black hide, original instruments and exceptional cross-banded veneers. The engine bay is in decent order and the whole car looks 'just right'.
It was purchased by our vendor's father in 2020 and for the last few years, has been part of a fleet of very impressively-presented vintage and PVT cars available for special occasions, birthdays, proms, weddings etc. Naturally, with a couple of experienced craftsmen on the books, all the cars in the collection were maintained in-house.
The history file contains DVLA and insurance correspondence, MOT Certificates from 2003 to 2019, some old tax discs, Owners Club correspondence, the V5C and a few old photographs taken when the car was being restored. Interestingly KJ 5595, finished in black at the time, appeared in an episode of Dad’s Army -The Honourable Man.
It's hard to believe that this much Vintage quality and style is available at our sensible guide and we invite and encourage your close inspection..
