The Pre-War Car Thread

[Six-cylinder]

11 hours ago, SiC said:

As per my Z4 thread I went to a local Austin 7 district club meets at Newark Park National Trust at the weekend. While I know some have interest in Severns, those that don't might want to skip the post after this.

There was a section of other post war classics but I'll leave those pictures out as this is a pre-war thread.

Firstly the pics of the general pre-war stuff that isn't an Austin 7!

 

Thank you, you found me a 20/25.

[wuvvum]

On 08/07/2025 at 16:04, Cavcraft said:

hillman minx | eBay UK

£3,500. Looks pretty good (plates aside) so might be a decent buy.

This made £3K.  If it'd been a bit closer I would have been quite tempted.

[D.E]

1926 Alvis TG12/50 ALVISTA BARN FIND PETROL Manual

[Cavcraft]

Wolsely at a guess, looked like it had a light up radiator badge. 

In a garage in Dolgellau, I think it's been in there for a very long time, possibly even since the 1990s.

[artdjones]

7 hours ago, D.E said:

1926 Alvis TG12/50 ALVISTA BARN FIND PETROL Manual

I love Alvis 12/50s with upright styling  Some even have artillery style wheels and are the ultimate 1920s street sleepers. They look like Morris Oxfords but have a top speed 15-20 mph greater, not far off a standard 3 litre Bentley.

[artdjones]

We gave the elderly lady a lift somewhere then dropped her at her daughter's for lunch a couple of weeks ago. When we arrived at the daughter's this was parked outside. I thought it was a Morris, but closer inspection revealed that it's a Rover 9, not the most inspired 20s design, but still a very attractive car.

[Dyslexic Viking]

I don't think the weirdest Mercedes ever made has been mentioned here the rear engined 170H 1936-1939.

 

These are really rare and sold in low numbers. An interesting thing about these was that the German forces didn't like them so they weren't requisitioned so the owners kept them. Many years ago I read about one of these sold new in Norway and which had only had one owner who was surprisingly still alive at the time. It's been a long time since I read this so I don't remember all the details, but he kept the car throughout the war and he was in the resistance movement and in the police or similar right after the war. And since he had a car, he was given a secret mission by the Allied high command. It involved driving to war-torn Finland to meet a courier to retrieve important and secret documents that he himself did not know the contents of. Which that car was used in. This was confirmed then but I have never heard of this since which is a bit strange as it is a fascinating story.

[D.E]

1928 Austin 7 Rosengart 2 seater Coupe

[martc]

^^^^^ check the handbrake before buying.

[wuvvum]

I quite like the look of this.

Needs some TLC but (currently) looking fairly cheap for what is quite a usable pre-war car.

[MT606]

enroute to a petrol station, stopped at the chippy as this was where I had had enough of pushin the cub..... armstrong siddeley 16HP I think (?)

 

[wuvvum]

Technically not pre-war but it's a pre-war design so close enough.  Would probably be a rather pleasant thing to tootle around in - independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes and enough power to get out of its own way.  It even has a heater.

Bit too far away for me but it's on @HMC's manor if he fancies a sensible modern to run alongside the Swift.

[wuvvum]

Again, pre-war in all but name.  Basically an Austin 16 with a better turning circle, so should be quite a usable thing.

[LightBulbFun]

2 hours ago, wuvvum said:

Again, pre-war in all but name.  Basically an Austin 16 with a better turning circle, so should be quite a usable thing.

*scratches head*

 

(unsurprisingly sadly its been asset-stripped of its original number before sale, twas LGO81 until May 2025, until it was robbed of that mark and given XXG782 as an age related replacement plate)

 

 

[D.E]

Quote

Bought new on November 10th 1920, at the Olympia Motor Show in London, this amazing time warp has been with the same owner since 1963.

 

It has never been resprayed or restored in anyway, standing today as it was delivered by Whiting Ltd. London in 1920.

1920 Le Zebre Two Seater Cabriolet