Beschreibung
This car is Lot 118 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Bond St Sale on Thursday December 11th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Wednesday December 10th from 13:00 until 20:00, and Thursday Dcember 11th from 09:00 at 101 New Bond St.
Lot 118
1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low-chassis Tourer
Registration no. TF 5198
Chassis no. S79
One of the finest sports cars of the Vintage era
One of an estimated 77 S-Types built
Known ownership history
Present ownership since circa 2005
Extensively campaigned
All major matching-numbers and 'totally original'
Guaranteed entry into the most prestigious events worldwide, including the Mille Miglia
"The low chassis Invicta was probably the best-looking sports car in the vintage tradition ever to be produced in England. I can think of no contemporary un-supercharged motorcar of similar capacity, made here, which could outperform it and very few built elsewhere..." J R Buckley, The 4½-Litre S-type Invicta, Profile Publications, 1966.
In an era when most cars stood tall, the 4½-litre S-Type Invicta, with its dramatically lowered chassis, caused a sensation: few sports cars before or since have so looked the part. The Invicta Company's origins go back to 1924 when Noel Macklin and Oliver Lyle, both of whom had motor industry experience, got together to create a car combining American levels of flexibility and performance with European quality and roadholding. In particular, Macklin wanted to build a car powered by an internal combustion engine that would rival a steam-powered car for flexibility.
Like the contemporary Bentley, the Invicta was produced to an exemplary standard. Price was only a secondary consideration, a factor that contributed largely to both firms' failure to weather the Depression years of the early 1930s. The final Invicta left the factory, appropriately enough, on Friday 13th October 1933, though a handful of cars were assembled at the company's service depot between 1934 and 1936. It is estimated that approximately 1, 000-or-so Invictas of all types were made.
Apart from a handful of prototypes, all Invictas were powered by the tireless six-cylinder engines made by Henry Meadows. Launched at the 1930 Olympia Motor Show, the S-type featured a new under-slung chassis that achieved a much lower centre of gravity by positioning the rear axle above the frame rails instead of below as was normal practice at the time. Like most low-revving engines, the 4½-litre Meadows delivered ample torque in the lower and middle speed ranges. Indeed, the Invicta can be throttled down to 6-8mph in top gear, despite its relatively high 3. 6:1 final drive ratio, and will then accelerate rapidly and without complaint when the accelerator is depressed. The Meadows engine initially produced 115bhp at 3, 000rpm, figures that were improved upon by subsequent development. In standard trim the meadows-engined S-Type breathed through twin 40mm SU carburettors and had twin-plug ignition sparked by battery/ coil and a Lucas magneto. Alloy-finned 14"-diameter brake drums restrained the S-Type's outstanding performance.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Invictas shone in competitions of all kinds. The Cordery sisters set many long-distance records with their Invicta, while Raymond Mays held the Brooklands Class C Mountain Circuit record for a time with his tuned (158bhp) India Tyres-sponsored S-Type. Mays also held the Shelsley Walsh sports car record by 1932. Stripped S-Types were capable of lapping Brooklands at almost 109mph, while away from the racetrack, Donald Healey's Invicta won the 1931 Monte Carlo Rally. Invictas also appeared in lesser rallies, hill climbs and beach races.
The popular '100mph Invicta' tag notwithstanding, standard cars had a still impressive top speed of around 95mph with more to come in racing trim. However, it must be stressed that the S-type Invicta was primarily a very fast but comfortable high-speed touring car (comfortably at home on modern motorways), its greatest attribute being an ability to cover a substantial mileage at high average speeds with no strain, either to driver or the machinery.
Invictas are about as indestructible in normal use as a car can be. Approximately 68 of the 77-or-so S-types built are known to survive and most are in excellent order, testifying to the fact that they have always been regarded as high quality motor cars. Indeed, in pre-war days there was a club dedicated exclusively to the model and members famously christened individual cars with names like 'Scythe', 'Scrapper' and 'Sea Lion'.
Chassis 'S79' is a Carbodies tourer completed on 18th May 1931 and first registered to a Mr Hatherley ('TF 5198' is a Lancashire mark). Between 1932 and 1934, the Invicta was owned by The London Car Exchange and used extensively by the well known amateur racing driver and motoring journalist, Rivers Fletcher. 'S79' featured in many of his books, including Mostly Motor Racing, My Favourite Cars, and A Lifetime with Cars. At that time 'S79' was finished in silver grey with blue trim, and in 1934 featured in Autocar's 7th December edition when it was for sale priced at £450. The Invicta also featured in Autocar's edition of 15th October 1943, and in Veteran & Vintage magazine (January 1961).
The next known custodian was a Mr Clifford Allport, who owned 'S79' from 1947 to 1957. The last recorded UK licensing was in 1959, following which the car was shipped to the USA having been purchased for the Mashek collection in Chicago. While there 'S79' featured in The Great Cars by well known American collector, Ralph Stein, published by Hamlyn. In 2004 the Invicta returned to the UK, passing from Mr Hugh Taylor, who had purchased it from the Mashek family, to the late owner, Trevor Swete, circa 2005. The car had been largely untouched during its time in the USA apart from being resprayed British Racing Green and fitted with a new hood. The folding windscreen was added later.
Since then 'S79' has been extensively raced, hill-climbed and rallied with not inconsiderable success, including five outings at the Classic Le Mans (6th in 2012) plus Spa Francorchamps, Kitsbuhlerbergrennen, Avignon, Angoulême and VSCC events at most UK circuits. The Invicta's last event was this year's Mille Miglia.
Many original parts that complete the Lot are stored with Bishopgray (buyer collects) and are as follows; engine; windscreen; four brake drums; two back plates (one broken); gearbox with standard gears and shafts; modified rear floor for racing; fan; glovebox lid; air pressure gauge.
Described by its late owner as "totally original, patinated rather than concours", 'S79' comes with recent FIA papers, a FIVA ID Card, VSCC buff eligibility document, and a copy of its extract from the Invicta Car Club Register.
The Low-chassis Invicta S-Type is now regarded as one of the most desirable pre-war sports cars, sought after by collectors for its exceptional driving abilities, style and sheer presence. A guaranteed entry into the most prestigious rallies, Concours d'Élégance events and race meetings around the world, the Low-chassis has an enviable reputation among connoisseurs and examples are to be found in some of the most important private collections. With only some 68 surviving, and examples seldom offered for sale, 'S79' represents a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the discerning collector to become part of this remarkable marque's ongoing story with a car that is original and unmodified.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
