Originally known as the Ogston, the concern renamed its productions Deemster. The cars were prominent in competitions in the early 'twenties. Notable successes were a first and a second place in the 1,100-c.c. and 1,500-c.c. classes at South Harting Hill-climb in 1920, and first, second and fourth in the 1100-c.c. class in the General Efficiency Trial in the same year. The sports Deemster was of conventional design, being powered by a 1086-c.c. (62 x 90-mm.) side-valve engine. A cone clutch transmitted the power through a three-speed gearbox to a spiral bevel rear axle. Front suspension was by semi-elliptic, with quarter-elliptics for the rear. Both internal and external expanding brakes were fitted on the rear wheels.
Deemsters were well-built little cars, and gained a reputation for reliability. One or two specially tuned versions raced with success at Brooklands, but, in the main, they were more successful in hill-climbs and reliability trials. |
