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The early Straker-Squire cars had an excellent name in racing and competitions generally, especially the 15-h.p. model, which was first introduced in 1911, and almost immediately set about a whole collection of R.A.C. class records. The car covered the flying mile at 95.45 m.p.h., and the kilometre at 96.67 m.p.h., surprisingly high speeds for thirty-six years ago. In 1912 the Straker-Squire actually won awards for best times in ten successive hill-climbs, being the fastest car, irrespective of capacity, in the majority of the events. In 1913, all existing "D" class world's records fell to the Straker-Squire, including a flying half-mile at 98.74 m.p.h. In June, 1914, the Straker-Squire 15-20-h.p. standard tourer finished fourth in the very gruelling Tourist Trophy race in the Isle of Man.
In the main, the marque is best known through the medium of its fine large cars. The 20-25-h.p. (80 x 130-mm. 3921-c.c.) six-cylinder model was a first-rate, high-speed touring car, and produced 70 b.h.p. at an engine speed of 2,500 r.p.m. As the chassis weight was only 17-cwt., and a 3.85 to 1 rear axle was available, effortless cruising was a feature at speeds of around 70 m.p.h. The chassis was constructed from pressed steel, with excep-tionally deep side members. A four-speed gearbox was used, and suspension was by semi-elliptic leaf springs at the front, and cantilever springs at the rear. The car was marketed during the early 'twenties, but did not survive very long, as the Straker- Squire Company concerned itself mostly with other engineering projects.
After WW2 quite a number of 20-25 Straker-Squires were still being used, mostly by garages which found them ideal for hack vehicles, but one or two sporting versions were apparently occasionally seen. |
