Hillclimb special

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Sir,

I took the enclosed photograph at the Fordingbridge Hill Climb in the late 1940’s and hope that one of your readers can identify the car. It did not compete as the owner decided that the loose stoney surface was not suitable for its small ground clearance. Although I was a regular spectator and competitor at the post-war hill climbs and sprints, I cannot remember seeing the car again.

I made some notes about the car at the time and it would seem that the engine was a Riley boosted at 35 p. s. i. (which sounds exciting), the suspension was torsion bar all round and the constructor worked at Airspeeds. The photograph shows massive hydraulic brakes, twin trailing arm i.f.s. and twin rear radius arms.

Intriguing and good to look at — but what was it?

Tewin, Herts
C. P. Tooley

[I recall seeing this car at a Nash Hillclimb at Bristol in 1947/48 driven by Leslie Onslow-Bartlett, and it certainly did have a highly supercharged Riley 9 engine, swing-axle rear suspension and home-made Porsche-style trailing arm i. f. s. Wheels, hubs and brakes looked like Riley. It was very nicely made but I never saw it again. — D. S. J.]