In 1934 the total number of motor vehicles in use in the United Kingdom rose to 1,841,289; the following year it would pass the two million mark. Of the 1934 figure 1,333,590 units were private cars. The number of 'hackneys' rose by only 95 compared with the previous year and their total number did not change appreciably until the end of the Second World War. During the 1934 calendar year, ending in September, the British motor industry produced 342,499 vehicles of all types, of which 256,866 were cars and taxicabs. This was the highest figure so far, yet it was a far cry from the United States where manuufacturers were grumbling because they had not sold more than 2 million vehicles, which was considerably more than all the vehicles existing in the United Kingdom.
UK car exports in 1934 amounted to 43,907 units, valued at over £5·6 million. Car imports were high this year, with 10,851 units, valued at just under £1·7 million. New car registrations during the 1934 calendar year amounted to 230,866 (total of all types of new vehicles registered; 358,387). By this stage the Rootes Group were continuing their aquision strategy - Karrier Motors were in receivership in 1934 and were soon snapped up, while the next year STD Motors, which comprised of Sunbeam and Clement-Talbot was added. Rootes were keen to keep the marque identities going and "badge engineering" was adopted on some of the products. All the various builders were still going in some form at the take over by Chrysler. Humber was associated with the luxury market, Sunbeam; sports cars, and Hillman long-lasting quality.
AC (Acedes) produced a range of 2- Litre models, all with 9 ft 7 in wheelbase. The 1990-cc (65 x 100 mm) OHC six-cylinder engine came in two variants, the 16/56 (56 bhp at 3500 rpm) and the three-carburettor 16/66 (66 bhp at 3500 rpm). Both engines had a treasury rating of 15·7 HP and an aluminium cylinder block with inserted sleeves. Chassis prices were £320 and £365 respectively. Pictured left is a 16/56 close-coupled Coupe with sliding roof.
The bodywork for the Alvis Speed 20 and many other Alvis cars was supplied by Cross and Ellis.
Armstrong Siddeley Twelve
The Armstrong Siddeley Twelve shown had a 1434-cc (56·5 x 95·25 mm) six-cylinder side-valve engine and 8 ft 9 in wheelbase. All models (12, 15, Long 15, 20, Long 20 and Siddeley Special) had four-speed self-changing gearbox.
Austin Seven Model B9 Saloon with sliding roof (£128) contrasted sharply with its 'Mini' descendant (£533) of almost three decades later. This was one of the last 'upright' Sevens. New models with sloping radiator cowl and modernized bodywork were introduced in July, 1934.
The Austin Ten- Four Model GRA had not changed much since its introduction in 1932. Detail improvements included a cross-braced frame, synchro-mesh on third and top gears, electric fuel gauge and trafficator switch on steering column. The 1125-cc (63·5 x 89 mm) engine produced 20 bhp (30 bhp in Sports model). Prices ranged from £158 to £215. There were six body styles to choose from, including an attractive Cabriolet at £178.
The Austin Light Twelve Tourer, Model HT had four-cylinder side-valve engine of 1535-cc (69·3 x 89 mm) capacity, rated at 11·9 HP. Gearbox was four-speed with synchromesh on third and top, wheelbase 8 ft 10 in, tyres 4.75-19. This model sold at £172 10s. Other body styles, selling at up to £218, were available.
The Austin Twenty came in two versions, the Whitehall five-seater and the Ranelagh seven-seater (pictured left). Wheelbase was 10ft and 11 ft 4 in respectively, prices were £515 and £595. Both were powered by a 3.4 litre side-valve Six of 57·5 bhp. rated at 23·4 HP.
The
Bentley's were available in chassis form at £1100 for specialist coachwork but also complete as Saloon (pictured left) for £1460, Drophead Coupe for £1485 and Open Tourer for £1380.
British Salmson 12/55
British Salmson Aero Engines Ltd. of Raynes Park. London, launched their 12/55 Model in 1934 and continued it basically unchanged until 1939 It had a 1480-cc (69 x 98 mm) 55-bhp twin-OHC four-cylinder engine, rated at 11·9 HP. The four-door Saloon pictured left cost £395.
BSA 10 Model
BSA built only 9·8 HP ("10') models. The 8 ft 1½ in wheelbase chassis cost £180 and the factory offered six complete Saloon and Coupe models, ranging in price from £230 to £290. Unusual for such small cars was that all had Daimler Fluid Flywheel self-changing transmission.
Crossley offered four- and six-cylinder models ranging from the 9·8 HP Quicksilver up to the 20·9 HP Super Six. Pictured left is the Torquay Ten Saloon of the former series. Most expensive in the Crossley range was the Super Six Enclosed Landaulette, at £895.
Crossley Streamline
Crossley produced a limited number of the Burney-designed Streamline Crossley. It had the 1991-cc 15·7 HP OHV four-cylinder engine of the 2-litre and Silver models, mounted at the rear, and independent suspension all round. All passengers sat within the 8 ft 9 in wheelbase. The car had an ENV self-changing gearbox. Previously, cars of this design had been produced by Streamline Cars Ltd., at Maidenhead, Berkshire, with a variety of engine types and longer wheelbase.
The Ford V8 Model 18 was basically similar to the Model B except that it had the American type eight-cylinder engine of 3622-cc (77·787 x 95·25 mm) capacity, rated at 30 HP. External distinguishing features were V8 ornaments on headlamp tie bar and wheel hub covers. Late production cars differed from 1932 models in having restyled wings. etc. Pictured left is the relatively rare 10ft 3 in wheelbase £395 Imperial Limousine, delivered to the British Army who specified oversize tyres on disc wheels.
Whilst the British Ford Motor Company continued producing the (slightly restyled) four-cylinder Model Band BF cars. The V8s they supplied during 1933-34 were of the American Model 40 variety. The main exception was the V8 Imperial Limousine and to make matters even more complicated, the Model 40 Roadster (pictured left), with mid-1934 Cornwall registration, had a four-cylinder engine. In the USA the Model 40 had been available with the Four engine during 1933 but because of dismal sales it was dropped there for the 1934 selling season.
The Ford Model Y Saloons were available as Tudor or 'Single Entrance' two-door at £120 and as Fordor or 'Double Entrance' fourrdoor (pictured left) at £125. The L-head Four engine was of 933-cc capacity (56·6 x 92·5 mm) and developed 22 bhp at 3700 rpm Treasury or RAC rating was 7·96 HP. Except for the louvres in the bonnet side panels the Model Y looked very much like the American 1933/34 Ford V8 Model 40.
Ford Model Y chassis was available at £97 10s for the mounting of special bodywork as exemplified by this 'Kerry' Tourer, which features a non-original bumper and some other modifications.
Ford Model Y remained in production until 1937 and from 1935 was known as Popular. By 1936 the price of the Tudor had dropped to the £100 mark, albeit after the car had been given more austere finish and equipment. These 1934/35 cars were illustrated in a 1936 issue of the Ford Times, captioned 'Thanks to the many virtues of our £100 Saloon, we are now able to forget household worries while enjoying the charm of the English countryside, at least two or three afternoons every week'.
The 1934 Hillman Minx was mechanically similar to its 1933 predecessors except that it now had a four-speed gearbox. Radiator grille. wings and bodywork were slightly restyled Pictured left is a Melody Minx Saloon with Hughie Green and his Gang outside Broadcasting House after a rehearsal for their show in the Entertainment Hour on 4 July 1934.
These two Hillman Minx Tourers were used by Captain and Mrs. A. E. Kellet for an arduous trip from London to Cape Town. For the expedition the cars were specially modified to carry extra petrol. water, etc. The route was via Italy, Tripolitania and Egypt.
The Hillman Minx Foursome Drophead Coupe, priced at £225, was most expensive Minx model, but the roomy locker at the rear simplified the problem of transporting tea-making equipment.
The Hillman Aero Minx was available with four different and attractive body styles. Pictured left is a Foursome Coupe with sliding roof and a Tourer, which were both priced at £225.
The Hillman 20/70 was similar to the Hillman 16 HP and sold at the same price, the difference was that it had the ex-Wizard 75 2810-cc (75 x 106 mm) engine, rated at 20·9 HP, rather than the 1932-33 65-mm bore Wizard 65 2210-cc unit which powered the 16 HP. The Wizards had not proved a success and were withdrawn from the Company's production programme.
The Hillman 20/70 Seven-seater Limousine had 10ft 3 in wheelbase. An example is shown here at the famous Blacksmith Shop and Marriage Room at Gretna Green.
Humber Twelve had a four-cylinder side-valve engine of 1669-cc cubic capacity (69·5 x 110 mm). rated at 11·98 HP. Power output was 42 bhp at 3800 rpm. The Sports Tourer pictured left sold at £285 and like the standard Saloon (£265) featured the early style radiator grille and louvred bonnet side panels.
The Humber Twelve Vogue Saloon differed from other Twelves mainly in having bonnet ventilating doors like the bigger Humbers and special 'hardtop' bodywork, designed in collaboration with Captain Molyneux, MC., of London and Paris. It sold at £335.
The Humber 16/60 Foursome Drophead Coupe. This bodywork was available on the Snipe 80 chassis also. Prices were £495 and £535 respectively. The 16/60 and Snipe 80 chassis were identical in most respects, main differences being in engine size (2276 and 3498·5 cc. 55 and 77·8 bhp resp.) and tyre size (6.50-18 and 6.50-17 resp).
The Humber Snipe 80 was available with six different body styles. as well as in chassis form (£345) for the mounting of special bodies. The six-cylinder side-valve engine had a bore and stroke of 80 x 116 mm and was rated at 23·8 HP.
The Humber Snipe 80 Sports Saloon cost £550. The example pictured left was acquired by explorer Rosita Forbes in preparation for a 20,000-mile journey through North Central and South America.
The Humber Pullman was mechanically similar to the Snipe 80, featuring the same 77·8-bhp 23·8 HP 3.5-litre engine. The wheelbase, however, was one foot longer at 11 ft. This Sedanca De Ville cost £895 and had coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly. It was owned by Geraldo of the Gaucho Tango Orchestra (Savoy Hotel. London).
Humber Pullman with Thrupp & Maberly Sedanca Coupe bodywork. This 4/5-seater model had a three-way folding top, easily adaptable as an open Sports Tourer, or Semi-closed Coupe as shown.
Jowett 4G Short and 4G Long
Jowett produced two types of chassis, the 4G Short (wb 7 ft) and 4G Long (wb 8 ft 6 in). Mechanically they were similar, featuring the legendary 907-cc (75-4 x 101·6 mm) side-valve flat-twin engine which was rated at 7 ·04 HP. Actual power output was 16 bhp at 3000 rpm Gearbox was four-speed, tyre size 4.50-19. The two chassis were available at £109 10s and £111 10s respectively, complete cars costing from £151 up to £175 ex-works.
Lagonda Rapier 10 HP Fixed-head Coupe body by Abbott
The Lagonda Rapier 10 HP chassis was introduced in late 1933 and continued in production for only a few years. It had an 1104-cc (62·5 x 90 mm) twin-OHC four-cylinder engine, developing 60 bhp at 5000 rpm and rated at 9·69 HP. The four-speed gearrbox had right hand control. The wheelbase was 8 ft 4 in, the tyre size 4.50-19. Pictured left is a Fixed-head Coupe body by Abbott.
Lagonda Rapier Four-seater Tourer by Abbott. This was the most common body style on the Rapier, which was only supplied in chassis form by the factory.
Lagonda offered six-cylinder 16/80 Special Six, 3-Litre and 4½--Litre models, in addition to the Rapier Four. Both the 3- and 4½ Litre chassis had 10ft 9 in wheelbase and 600-19 tyres. The 3-Litre had a 79-bhp 3181-cc 0HV engine, rated at 29·94 HP. The 4½ Litre, a preserved Tourer model (pictured left) had a 29·13 HP 4429-cc OHV Six with an output of 104 bhp at 3000 rpm. The Tourer, when new, cost £825. Note the 'cycle wings'.
Lagonda 4½-Litre M45 Rapide was a higher-performance version. Power output was 104 bhp at 3000 rpm and 120 bhp at 3200 rpm respectively.
Lanchester 10HP and 18HP
Lanchester, like Daimler, was a member of the BSA group of Companies The company offered lines of 10 and 18 HP models with four- and six-cylinder engines respectively, both featuring the Daimler Fluid Flywheel selffchanging gearbox. The 10 HP (pictured left) in this period advertisement stood on an 8 ft 6½ in wheelbase chassis with 5.00-18 tyres and conventional semi-elliptic leaf springs. The chassis was available for £245.
Morgan offered a wide range of three-wheeled models, priced from £105 to £135, with 990 and 11OO-cc engines, all of the V-twin-cylinder type. All of the nine 1934 models had 9 ft 3 in wheelbase and 18 x 3 Dunlop Magna wheels. Two had air-cooled engines and three of the water-cooled types had side valves. Pictured left is a Super Sports model with Matchless water-cooled OHV engine.
Morris Minor Tourer cost £120 and was cheapest but one of the smallest of 1934 Morrises. Full range comprised 32 basic models in eight series, being; Minor, Ten Four, Ten Six, Cowley, Cowley Six, Oxford, lsis and 25. The Minor series comprised Two-Seater, Tourer, two two-door Saloons, four-door Saloon and Special Coupe. They had an 847-cc side-valve Four engine, four-speed gearbox and hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase measured 6 ft 6 in for all except the four-door Saloon and Special Coupe which was 7 ft 7 in. Drive-away chassis were available at £92 10s and £102 10s respectively.
The Morris Ten Six Special Coupe was new for 1934. Two-seater, Tourer, and Saloon body styles were offered also. Engine was a six-cylinder side-valve unit of 1378-cc capacity (57 x 90 mm), rated at 12 HP. Apart from engine, gearbox ratios and 6-in shorter wheelbase the Ten Four models were very similar. The Special Coupe shown cost £215 as Ten Six, £200 as Ten Four.
The Morris Cowley Six was a new addition to the range. The existing Cowley Four was improved and had a new engine. Except for the £265 Six Special Coupe all Cowleys had four-door Saloon bodywork. The Six Saloon with sliding roof cost £220, the fixed-roof edition was £5 cheaper. The Cowley Six engine had 63'5 x 102 mm bore and stroke (1938 cc), the Four had 6-mm larger bore and same stroke (1550 cc). Both had 5.00-19 tyres. Wheelbase was 8 ft 10in and 8 ft 6 in respectively.
The Morris 25 featured 'single-pedal control' for normal driving, provided by free-wheel and Bendix automatic clutch control. Either or both could be put out of action by a dash-mounted control. The 25 had a side-valve six-cylinder engine of 3485-cc capacity (82 x 110 mm). Morris' other 'Big Sixes' were the 2062-cc side-valve Oxford Six and the 2468-cc overhead-valve Isis Six. The 25 Saloon pictured left cost £395, incl. sliding roof.
The Morris Minor was restyled and enlarged in the summer of 1934 and the new model was designated Eight (Eight Series 1 from July 1935). Several body styles were available, the £120 Tourer being particularly popular. Pictured left is the 5-cwt Van variant. Engine and gearbox now were 918-cc (57 x 90 mm) and three-speed respectively. Wheelbase was increased from 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft 6 in and track from 3 ft 6 in to 3 ft 9 in. Later they became known as the 'Pre-Series' models.
Railton Open Sports
Railton cars were built from 1933 by Railton Cars at Fairmile Engineering (the old Invicta works), Cobham in Surrey. They consisted of a sturdy 9 ft 8 in wheelbase chassis with, from mid-1934, a Hudson straight-eight side-valve engine of 4168-cc capacity, developing 113 bhp at 3800 rpm and rated at 28·8 HP. Drive to the 4·11:1 rear axle was through a three-speed gearbox. The wire wheels were fitted with 6.25-16 Air Wheel tyres. The chassis cost £430, the Open Sports model pictured left £540.
Railton Sports Saloon
The Railton Two-door Sports Saloon was offered at £630 and was most expensive of the range. Other models included a Four-door Saloon and a Drophead Coupe, selling at £565 and £595 respectively.
Riley six-cylinder chassis with Gamecock body and cycle wings. Six-cylinder chassis were available with 1458-cc 12·08 HP and 1633-cc 13·53 HP engine with brake horsepower outputs from 44 to 57, depending on specification. All had overhead valves and four-speed gearbox.
The Riley Nine was available with seven factory-built body styles, ranging in price from £237 to £325. Pictured left is the £325 Kestrel Saloon with 'fastback'. The engine was an OHV Four of 1098-cc capacity (60·3 x 95·2 mm), rated at 9·02 HP and developing 35 bhp at 4500 rpm. Most models were optionally available with a less powerful version, developing 27 bhp at 4000 rpm.
RolIs-Royce 20/25 chassis with Sports Saloon coachwork by Barker. Engine was 3669-cc (82x 114 mm) OHV Six of 25·3 HP, chassis price £1050. Also available was 7668-cc (108 x 140 mm) 43·3 HP LWB chassis, Model 40/50.
The Rover Twelve was a new car, available in Chassis, Saloon (shown), Open Four-Seater and Sports Saloon form at £195, £278, £288 and £298 respectively. Engine was an 11·9 HP overhead-valve 1485-cc (69 x 100 mm) Four, with four-speed gearbox, featuring clutch less gear-change and free-wheel.
The Singer Le Mans Two-seater was one of a wide range of models in Singer's Nine series. All Nines had a 972-cc (60 x 86 mm) OHC engine, rated at 8·93 HP. Actual brake horsepower depended on model. The Le Mans Two-seater had a 34-bhp power unit, the Le Mans Speed model a 38-bhp. At the lower end of the range were 26·5 and 28-bhp engines. Le Mans models had twin carburettors. Car shown is taking part in the Lawrence Cup Trial, after having competed in the Scottish Rally.
Singer Eleven (10·5 HP) series comprised five models, including this unusual Airstream Saloon which sold at £300. It featured built-in headlamps and clutchless gear change (Fluidrive). All Eleven models had 8 ft 4 in wheelbase and 1384-cc (65 x 105 mm) OHC engine of 35 bhp, except the Sports Saloon which had a 40-bhp variant. Shown with the Airstream is Jack Payne, a popular UK dance band leader. He liked the car and bought 14, all the same colour, for the members of his band.
SS Cars Limited offered 10, 12, 16 and 20 HP models with Tourer and Saloon body styles. priced from £260 for the SS II 10 HP Tourer up to £365 for the SS I 20 HP Airline Saloon.
Standard Ten-Twelve Speed Saloon was powered by a twin-carburettor 1608-cc (69·5 x 106 mm) side-valve engine with an output of 45 bhp at 4000 rpm. It was rated at 11·98 HP and sold at £245. The chassis was available for special bodywork at £180. Tyre size was 4.75-17. wheelbase 7 ft 10 in.
The Standard Twelve had basically the same 11·98 HP engine as the Ten-Twelve but with single carburettor and power output of 38 bhp at 3600 rpm. It had 8 ft 6 in wheelbase and 4.75-18 tyres. Pictured left is the De Luxe Saloon which featured leather upholstery and other refinements at a cost of £239, £20 more than the basic model.
A Sunbeam Twenty-Five with a difference. This 1934 chassis was rebodied in 1937 by Thrupp & Maberly and belonged to H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester. The limousine was painted in the royal colours and intended specially for use on State occasions.
Talbot Sixty-Five Special Coachbuilt Saloon was one of three models available on 9 ft 6 in wheelbase chassis with 45-bhp 1666-cc (61 x 95 mm) 13·8 HP OHV six-cylinder engine. Like all other 1934 Talbots it had a pre-selective four-speed gearbox. Model shown cost £425.
The Talbot Seventy-Five chassis cost £395 with 9 ft 6 in. £425 with 10ft wheelbase. The engine was a 17·9 HP 2276-cc (69·5 x 100 mm) OHV unit developing 70 bhp at 4500 rpm. Coachbuilt Saloons on these two chassis were priced £495 and £545 respectively.
The Talbot 105 Sports Four-door Saloon was a high-performance car. offered at £795. It had the same wheelbase as the 65 and the SWB 75. namely 9 ft 6 in. and basically the same engine as the Talbot 95: a 2970-cc (75 x 112 mm) OHV Six. rated at 20·9 HP. Brake horsepower figures for the 95 and 105 were 95 and 100 respectively, both at 4500 rpm.
The Talbot 105 chassis was available for mounting bodywork to customer's choice. Shown is a two-door four-seater Tourer which took part in the 1934 Welsh Rally.
The Triumph Gloria Saloon was one of a wide range of new 9.53 HP models introduced for the 1934 season. Bore and stroke of the four-cylinder inlet-over-exhaust valve engines were 62 x 90 mm (1807 cc) but power output varied from 33.5 bhp at 4300 rpm up to 46 at 4600, depending on model.
Vauxhall Light Six A-Series 12 HP chassis with Drophead Coupe bodywork. The chassis, Model ASY, cost £140 and had a 36-bhp 1531-cc (57 x 100 mm) OHV six-cylinder engine. Much the same chassis was available with 61.5-mm bore (14 HP) engine, developing 42 bhp, designated Model ASX. Both had 8 ft 5 in wheelbase and 4.75-17 tyres.
Vauxhall Big Six B-Series comprised three basic types, the 19.8 HP BY and the 26.3 HP BX and BXL. The latter had 10 ft 10 in wheelbase, the others 9 ft 3 in. The 19·8 (20) HP engine was a 53-bhp OHV 2.4-Litre unit the 26.3 (26) HP was a larger-bore 3.2-Litre variant developing 64 bhp. Both had a four-speed gearbox and autoomatic chassis lubrication. The Model BY Saloon shown cost £325.