Salon Rétromobile - Paris, February 2017

Rétromobile, February 9, 2017

"Build Specification:
3 Litre-Red Label-Short Chassis-Speed Model. Body - Vanden Plas 4 seater Sports Tourer
Date of first registration - January 16th 1928 - KD 123 [Liverpool Borough]
Chassis No HT1637 - Short chassis - 9ft 9 1/2 ins wheelbase.
Engine No HT1643 Back axle - FT 3207 [15/53 ratio] Magnetos - Type ML ER 4
Sreering Box - HT1637 [low ratio] Gear Box " C " Type - 6102 Carburettors - SU "Sloper" Type G5

Interesting Note - According to records, no 3 litre chassis were made between July 1927 and April 1928. Chassis No HT1637 was first registered in Liverpool Borough KD 123 on January 16th 1928 and so is a 1927 car, made no later than July 1927. Her late build date is probably why she has a 4 1/2 litre steering box and magnetos."

"The first owner was Roland Godefroy [his mother's maiden name] Hornby. He was the eldest of two sons of Frank Hornby [1863-1936] the inventor of Meccano, [originally Mechanics Made Easy] in 1901, and founder of Hornby Model Railways 1920.

Roland worked in the family business and kept KD 123 for nine years, until his father died, when he became the Managing Director and inherited his Rolls Royce."

"The engine fitted in this car in the late 50s came from Chassis no. 640. This car was driven by both my parents was sold it to Bruce Brown with that engine still in the car. This is why KD 123 has a 4½ litre Steering-Box and Mags which were Syntillas! My father changed these two units at the same time because the box was badly worn. (I lost the sight of my left-eye working on the rear hood-studs on this car December 1971!!!)"

"My father John Ashton owned this car during this (193?-195?) period and sold it to Mr. Brown with whom he was in correspondence with when he died in 1977. Unfortunately, I didn't keep up the contact at the time. If the current owner would like to contact me I can probably fill some gaps and definitely have loads of photos."