Vale Special

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Vale Special | Pre War British Sports Cars

The smart little Vale Specials had a considerable vogue in the middle 1930s, and, although the performance of some of the earlier cars was a trifle disappointing, they certainly looked like pukka sports cars. Some of the later cars manufactured were fairly fast vehicles, particularly the 1500-c.c. type, which was successfully raced by Ian Connell. The original Vales had a modified edition of the Triumph Super Seven power unit. This little three-bearing 832-c.c. (56.5 x 83-mm.) job was capable of sustaining revs, in the neighbourhood of 5,000 to 6,000 r.p.m. Acceleration was comparable with M.G. and sports Austins, and maximum speed was just over 60 m.p.h.

Although there is no denying that the little Triumph engine was very willing, one feels that had the Vale started off with a power unit which produced more brake horses at less astronomical revs., a far more satisfactory sports car would have resulted. As it was, when the Vale people went over to more powerful four and six-cylinder power departments, they found that it was not easy to compete in a market dominated by M.G., Riley and Singer.

The ultra-low build of the Vale, with its attendant low centre of gravity, gave it remarkably good road-holding and cornering. The chassis was unusual in that it was underslung both front and rear, the semi-elliptic springs being anchored only at one end and free to slide under stress. A feature which was to become almost everyday practice was that the steering box and track rod were placed forward of the front axle. The vehicle was noted also for the excellence of its brakes, which were of the hydraulic pattern. All Vales had four-speed gearboxes, an open prop-shaft, and worm-driven rear axles. Equipment was comprehensive, and included every item necessary to the sporting motorist.

When the Triumph people ceased manufacturing their own engines, and went right over to Coventry-Climax power units, the Vale followed suit. Two versions were produced for 1935, a four-cylinder 1098-c.c. (60 x 90-mm.), and a six of 1476-c.c. (59 x 100-mm.). A four-cylinder 1496-c.c. engine was also available, with a bore and stroke of 69 x 100-mm. The 10-h.p. car was guaranteed 85 m.p.h., whilst 90 m.p.h. was given as the maximum of the larger cars. Various gear ratios were available to customers' requirements, but the low build of the cars made them totally unsuitable for trials, whilst their speeds were just not high enough for sports-car racing, despite the guaranteed maxima.

They were, nevertheless, first-rate high-speed touring cars, but the market for the latter is mostly sustained by competition successes, and, in the Vale concern's case, financial obligations precluded them from supporting the amateurs who were collecting every available award in sporting events in the 1934 to 1936 era. Many people regretted their passing, as the Vale was a praiseworthy attempt to produce a sports car at a low price, and with none of the drawbacks of the "specialist-bodied" versions of popular chassis.
1934 Vale Special Powered By Triumph Engine
1934 Triumph-Engined Vale Special Two Seater.
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