During 1937 the British motor industry produced 379,310 cars and 113,946 commercial vehicles. Totalling almost half a million units this was a new record. During the same period a record 99,185 vehicles of all types were exported, valued at about £12 million, including £8,325,088 for 78,113 private cars and chassis. Total vehicle 'population' in the United Kingdom, according to the September Census, was nearing the 2t million mark with 1,834,248 private cars, 87,474 'hackneys' and 487,750 commercials. Both production and exports, however, had reached a total which was not to be surpassed until after the second World War. Imports were also highest of the decade, with 18,560 cars and 4,667 commercial vehicles, representing a total value of almost £3 million. New car registrations in 1937 amounted to 318,461. In 1937 British Light Steel Pressings were acquired by the Rootes group, following many years of aquisitions. This company was the provider of body panels to the groups' subsidiaries.
The AC 16/60 Fixed-head Coupe had 9 ft 7 in wheelbase and 5·50-18 tyres. The chassis cost £325. A 16/70 Sports chassis was available, with 5·50-19 tyres and 4·66 (vs. 4·5) to 1 final drive ratio. at £355. There was also a 16/80 Short Sports variant at £365, with 8 ft 10 in wheelbase.
Alta Sports
Alta mainly produced racing cars (1100, 1½-litre, 2-litre and V8 models, priced from £850 up to (1750) but offered sports cars with any of the three four-cylinder engines used in the racing units. These were all equipped with an Alta-produced Roots type supercharger but the 1½ and 2-litre models were also available without this feature. Bodywork shown was one of various types which could be supplied.
The Alvis Speed Twenty Five, shown with Cross and Ellis Four-seater Sports bodywork, had a six-cylinder 3571-cc OHV engine, rated at 25·63 HP. This engine was the successor to the famous Alvis Speed Twenty. It had three SU carburettors and drove the 4·11 (or optional 4·33) rear axle through a synchromesh four-speed gearbox. The 10ft 4 in wheelbase chassis had independent front suspension. Model shown cost £700. There were also a Drop-head Coupe and a Four-light Saloon, both costing £850.
Armstrong Siddeley 14 HP Saloon
The Armstrong Siddeley 14 HP Saloon was the smallest car in the company's 1937 production programme, with 9 ft wheelbase and 1666-cc (61 x 95,25 mm) six-cylinder engine. Largest was a 30 HP 12 ft wheelbase chassis with 5-litre engine.
The Austin Ten was available as Saloon, named Cambridge (shown) and Cabriolet, named Conway. The latter was similar to the saloon, except that the roof portion could be rolled back from windscreen to boot. They had a 21 -bhp 1125-cc side-valve engine and four-speed gearbox. With the exception of the 7 HP models, all Austin cars had pressed steel spoke wheels ('easy clean' type), Ten models had 5·25-16 types; the similar looking but larger Twelves and Fourteens had size 5, 75-16.
Austin Ten, converted to Mobile Canteen Unit in 1939/40 The Salvation Army operated many vehicles with this type of bodywork. This particular one was presented by The Lord Mayor of Liverpool's War Fund.
Austin Fourteen Goodwood Saloon, Series FR, was in production from August 1936 until 1939. It had a 1711-cc six-cylinder side-valve engine, four-speed gearbox, 9 ft 3/4 inch wheelbase and 5·75-16 ELP (extra low pressure) tyres. In September 1937 an aluminium cylinder head was introduced.
The Bentley 4¼-Litre Allweather (convertible saloon) was offered directly by Bentley Motors, at £1645. Bodywork was 'by a well-known coachbuilder' (probably Vanden PIas) and had four doors. Engine was 4257-cc (89 x 114 mm) Six, rated at 29·4 HP, wheelbase 10ft 6 in. Chassis cost £1150, Similar chassis was available with 3669-cc (82·5 x 114 mm) 25·3 HP engine for £1100.
Bentley 4¼-Litre Phaeton with coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly.
British Salmson 12 HP Model S4C
British Salmson 12 HP Model S4C was basically still the same as introduced in 1934. Unlike its derivatives, the 14 and the 20/90, the 12 HP had a conventional beam type front axle.
British Salmson 14 HP Model S40 Drophead Coupe and Saloon
British Salmson 14 HP Model S40 Drophead Coupe and Saloon, priced at £375 and £395 respectively, had independent front suspension. Engine was 1730-cc (75 x 98 mm) Four, wheelbase 9 ft 4 in. Later the cylinder bore was reduced to 72 mm (1596 cc).
British Salmson 20/90
The British Salmson 20/90 had 2590-cc (75 x 98 mm) Six engine, rated at 20·8 HP, and independent front suspension. Wheelbase was 9 ft 4 in. Prices. Two-seater Sports £645, Sports Saloon (left) and Coupe £695.
British Salmson 20/90
The British Salmson 20/90 had 2590-cc (75 x 98 mm) Six engine, rated at 20·8 HP, and independent front suspension. Wheelbase was 9 ft 4 in. Prices. Two-seater Sports £645, Sports Saloon (left) and Coupe £695.
The Ford Eight, Model 7Y, replaced the earlier Model Y Popular during 1937. It was mechanically similar, having a 7 ft 6 in wheelbase chassis with transverse springing and 933-cc (56,6 x 92'5 mm) side-valve Four engine, rated at 7.96 HP. Gearbox was three-speed, tyre size 4.50-17. The new Eight had modernized body styling and pressed steel wheels. There was also a 5-cwt Van variant.
The Ford Ten, Model 7W, superseded the Model C De Luxe in May, 1937. It was distinguishable from the Model 7Y Eight by its radiator grille which had three vertical divisions. The engine was a 10 HP 1172-cc (63.5 x 92.5 mm) side-valve Four, similar to that of the preceding Model C. Wheelbase was 7 ft 10in.
Ford Model 62 had 22 HP 2·2-litre V8 engine and was first introduced in 1936. Wheelbase was 9 ft 0¼ in. The example left has wartime blackout markings (white-painted bumpers. etc.) and lighting.
Ford Model 62, three-quarter rear view. The Saloon was the only body style offered and cost £210. The chassis was, however, available for special bodywork and was priced at £160. An almost identical car was produced by Matford (Mathis/Ford) in France.
The Ford 30 HP, Model 78, was available with a variety of body styles. Most were imported from Canada. It is believed that only the Sedan (saloon) was assembled at the Oagenham Ford plant. Shown is a three-window Coupe.
The Frazer-Nash Shelsley model was a supercharged two-seater. suitable for both road work and production sports car events (Brooklands, Shelsley Walsh and other hill climbs, speed trials, road races and similar events). The 1496-cc four-cylinder engine was the same as used in the TT Replica and Ulster 100 models, except for the twin-supercharging equipment. It had a tubular front axle with inverted semi-elliptic leaf springs, acting as cantilevers, and adjustable rigid radius rods below the axle. In touring trim (£850) the car had a maximum road speed of 105 mph.
The Frazer-Nash Falcon Sports Roadster cost £425 and was particuularly suitable for club competitions and trials. It had a 1911-cc (65 x 96 mm) OHV six-cylinder engine with three Solex carburettors, but was also available with the alternative OHV 1496-cc Four with twin SUs, at £450.
The Hillman Minx Magnificent was much like the 1936 model but incorporated various detail improvements. Externally it was recognisable by the five horizontal chrome-plated strips on the radiator grille. Body styles included Saloon (£163), De Luxe, as shown, £175), Drophead Coupe (£215), Tourer (£175, De Luxe £190) The Saloon could also be bought after a down-payment of £40 15s, followed by 24 monthly payments of £5 15 8d.
The Hillman Sixteen Wingham Cabriolet sold at £395 and constituted an open tourer and a saloon in one body, being rapidly opened or shut. In their styling the six-cylinder Hillmans looked like scaled-up Minxes or, more accurately, Humber Eighteens with Hillman trimmings. Like the Humber they had Evenkeel independent front suspension.
The Hillman Hawk was similar to the Sixteen but had 20·92 HP 3181-cc vs. 16·95 HP 2576-cc engine. Both were side-valve Sixes. This four-door Saloon was priced at £295 (same as Sixteen Saloon)
The Humber 1937 range comprised Twelve, Eighteen, Snipe and Pullman models. The former two were in their last year. Pictured left is a Foursome Drophead Coupe which was available on the Eighteen and Snipe chassis. These models differed mainly in engine size. The former had a 2731-cc unit with 69·5-mm bore and 120-mm stroke. the latter had the same stroke but 85-mm bore. resulting in a cubic capacity of 4085·7 cc.
The Humber Pullman had the same engine as the Snipe but 11 ft instead of 10ft 4 in wheelbase and 7·50-16 instead of 7·00-16 tyres. Limousine shown had standard bodywork.
The Jensen 3½-Litre was a luxurious Anglo-American high-performance car. It had a 30 HP Ford V8 engine of 3621-cc cubic capacity with three-speed remote-control gearbox and Columbia two-speed rear axle (4·11 and 2·9 to 1). Road speed with 'pre-selective overdrive top' (2·9 to 1) was 60 mph at 2000 rpm. Saloon shown cost £695. Sports Tourer (£645) and Drophead Coupe (£765) were also available.
Jowett 7G
The Jowett 7G was powered by the rugged little 946-cc flat-twin, rated at 7.35 HP. Car was larger and roomier than other 'Eights'. A Four (7J) was available, too. Both had 8 ft 6 in wheelbase.
When Porsche was given the contract to design and build the Volkswagen one other stipulation was made; it must be capable of carrying 3 men, a machine-gun and ammunition. In 1937 one of the prototype cars was adapted to meet this specification and this car became the Type 62, a doorless Kubelwagen. After more modification which included doors and squarer bodywork the Kubelwagen saw military action but had to be further modified to slow the vehicle down to a speed less than 5 mph. This was achieved by Ferdinand Porsche's son, Ferry, who came up with a brilliant technical design of fitting reduction gears to each rear hub. This also had a beneficial side effect of raising the ground clearance and making it ideal for off-road use. The Kubelwagen was further developed and coded Type 82 and total production of the Kubelwagen reached 50,435.
Lanchester Eleven Sportsman's Coupe
The Lanchester Eleven Sportsman's Coupe was a one-off model. The 10.8 HP four-cylinder engine had overhead valves, 1444-cc (66 x 105 mm) cubic capacity. Transmission was of the Daimler Fluid Flywheel type with four forward speeds. The chassis was priced at £215 and factory-supplied bodies included Saloons and Coupes from £298 up to £325.
Lanchester Eighteen Six-Light Saloon
The Lanchester Eighteen with Six-Light Saloon coachwork. This model had a 2565-cc (72 x 1 05 mm) six-cylinder engine, four-speed Fluid Flywheel transmission and 9 ft 6 in wheelbase. The chassis price was £435.
The MG T -Series Model TA Midget Two-seater. The TA was in production during 1936-39 and was developed from the preceding Model PB. Price in October 1937 was £222.
MG VA-Series 1½- Litre Saloon, Tourer and Convertible
MG VA-Series 1½- Litre range comprised Saloon, Tourer (shown) and Convertible models. They were in production during 1937-39 and were similar to the 1936-39 SA-Series but with 9 ft wheelbase and 1548-cc 55-bhp four-cylinder engine. The chassis cost £215, the Tourer £280.
Morgan introduced their first four-wheeler in 1936 but the three-wheelers for which the Company had become famous were continued. The 1937 Model 4/4 (four cylinders, four speeds, four wheels) was an improved version of the 1936 model. It had a 34-bhp 1122-cc (63 x 90 mm) Coventry Climax engine with overhead inlet, side exhaust valves. Wheelbase was 7 ft 8 in, tyre size 5-50-16.
Morris continued their Series II models (and Eight Series I) with only minor changes until about mid-year when a new range of bigger Morrises, designated Series Ill, appeared. They differed from the Series 11 (shown) in having OHV engines, 'easy-clean' wheels, etc. (see British and European Car Spotters Guide - 1938).
The Riley Sprite Open Two-seater had twin-carburettor 1½-litre (1496-cc, 69 x 100 mm) 12 HP OHV four-cylinder engine and pre-selector gearbox. It was in production during 1936-38.
The Riley 15 HP model had a 1726-cc six-cylinder engine and in saloon form cost £380. The company also produced a few models with 18 HP V8 engines. These engines were made up of two 9 HP blocks and had a cubic capacity of 2178 cc (60·3 x 95·2 mm).
The Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Phantom III Sedanca Coupe. This superb motor car had a 7340-cc (82·5 x 114 mm) 12-cylinder engine, rated at 50·7 HP. The chassis alone cost £1900. Wheelbase was 11 ft 10in, tyre size 7·00-18. Two other Rolls Royce chassis which were available were the 20/25 HP (3669-cc Six, £1050) and the 25/30 HP (4257-cc Six, £1100), both with 11 ft wheelbase and 6·00-19 tyres.
The Rover 1937 range had various styling changes. There were Ten, Twelve, Fourteen, Sixteen and Speed models. Pictured left is the Twelve Sports Saloon. It had a four-cylinder engine of 1496-cc capacity (69 x 100 mm), rated at 11.9 HP Gearbox was four-speed, wheelbase 9 ft 4 in, tyres 5,00-18.
The Singer Nine had 972-cc (60 x 86 mm) four-cylinder engine and 7 ft 7 in wheelbase, During 1937 the pressed steel wheels (shown) replaced the earlier wire spoke type.
The Singer Twelve Saloon had 1½-litre four-cylinder OHV engine, four-speed gearbox, 8 ft 7 in wheelbase and 5.25-16 tyres on pressed steel wheels. It cost £225.
The SS Jaguar 100 sold at £395 and had basically the same 19·8 HP engine (2663·7-cc, 73x 106 mm) as the firm's 2½-litre Saloon. Wheelbase was 8 ft 6 in, tyre size 5·25-18. Plaques on the wall indicate the registered offices of Swallow Coachbuilding Company Ltd and SS Cars Ltd.
The SS Jaguar 2½-litre was a very elegant sports saloon. It was first introduced in 1936 and was the first SS for which the name Jaguar was used Its 2663.7-cc engine was made by Standard. A 1½-litre variant was also available.
The Standard Flying V8 Saloon was unveiled at 1936 Olympia Motor Show with a price tag of £349. It was in limited production for only two years. Shown is a 1935-registered car. The 20 HP 2686-cc (63.5 x 106 mm) side-valve power unit did not look unlike a Ford V8 but was in fact based on two 10 HP cylinder blocks. It was claimed it could attain 82 mph. A Drophead Coupe variant was offered at £359. Wheelbase was 8 ft 6 in.
The Talbot Ten Sports Tourer (shown) and Sports Saloon both sold for £248. The third model in the range, a Drophead Foursome Coupe was priced at £278. They had a 9.8 HP 1185-cc side-valve engine with four-speed gearbox and different final drive ratios for open and closed cars. Wheelbase was 7 ft 9 in, tyre size 5.25 -16.
The Talbot 75 Six-light Saloon cost £485 in 1936, £425 in 1937. It had a 17.9 HP six-cylinder engine. Most expensive Talbot was 24 HP Limousine, at £795 (1936: £895).
Triumph offerings for 1937 included Gloria, Vitesse, Dolomite and Continental models, priced from £268 upwards. The Gloria had a 1232-cc Coventry Climax Four engine, the Continental a 1991-cc Triumph OHV Six. The intermediate models could be had with either a 1767-cc Four or the 1991-cc Six Triumph engine.
The Vauxhall 25 HP G-Series was continued in short and long-wheelbase variants. Other 1937 Vauxhalls were the D-Series 12 and 14 HP. During 1937 the company introduced a new 10 HP. the H-Series. which featured integral body-cum-chassis construction (see 1938).
The Vauxhall 25 HP G-Series was continued in short and long-wheelbase variants. Other 1937 Vauxhalls were the D-Series 12 and 14 HP. During 1937 the company introduced a new 10 HP. the H-Series. which featured integral body-cum-chassis construction (see 1938).
The Wolseley 12/48 Series 11 sold at £225 in Saloon form and had a 12 HP 1547-cc (69·5 x 102 mm) four-cylinder OHV engine, four-speed gearbox, 8 ft 4 in wheelbase and 5·75-16 tyres on pressed-steel wheels. The chassis was available at £160 and a Coupe at £257 10s. Other Wolseleys in the 1937 programme were the 10/40, 14/56, Sixteen, 21 and 25 HP.
This first ZIS had a stately appearance, a 142 in. wheelbase, was 222.5 in. long and weighed 49.2 cwt. A glass partition behind the driver made it a six-seater limousine for top State officials. The 101 had an eight-cylinder, double barrelled carburettor, thermostatically controlled cooling system, synchromesh gearbox, double-acting shock absorbers, a heater and a car radio. Many of these features were previously unknown in the USSR. Its engine was bored out to 5,750 c.c. Cast iron pistons were retained, the engine developed 90 bhp at 2,800 rpm, giving a claimed top speed of 68 mph. Aluminium pistons were under development and by 1940 a number of parts had been replaced. The twin-choke American Marvel carburettor was replaced by a domestic unit, fitted with three jets and an economizer. This engine had a compression ratio of 5.5-to-1 and 110 bhp. This was later further modernised for the ZIS 101 A with a compression ratio of 6.4-to-1, requiring higher octane petrol, that was not usually available in the USSR until the 1950s. The updated models ZIS-101 A and ZIS-101 B (and a few open-bodied ZIS-102s) had servo-assisted brakes and worm and roller steering. Externally these cars differed only in the radiator grille in place of the shovel nose of the original 101 model they acquired a less pleasing rounded one.
