Those Twin-Cam Touring Darracqs

Those Twin-Cam Touring Darracqs

Sir,

Referring to your review of the Alvis book and the subsequent letter from John Bolster on the twin o.h.c. Darracq, I would like to have the opportunity of supplying further relevant information on this vehicle. I am in possession of a 1924 sales catalogue which describes this model and offers it for general sale. Firstly it won the President’s Cup on July 12th 1924 at Shelsley Walsh when beating Harvey’s Alvis; prior to this on July 9th it carried off three cups and two gold medals at the Caerphilly event. Continued ort page 957

This model is listed as the 12/32 h.p. Type 2 SC Super Sports model, and had a four-cylinder fixed-head twin o.h.e. engine which in fact was designed by Coatalen. The bore and stroke was 68 by 102 mm. giving 1,498 c.c. It had conventional starting and lighting equipment, but had 2 by 35 mm, Solex carburetters.

The chassis specification was exactly the same as the 12/32 D.C. Sports, which had a wheelbase of 90. 10in, and track of 4ft. nin.; the overhaul length was 13ft. 21in., this being the shorter chassis (std. tourer 13ft. 4in., contradicts Mr. Bolster’s information). Price in chassis form was £650.

It is not known how many were in fact made or for how long, but it is my guess that production difficulties arose; also, perhaps Coatalen opted out for the bigger 6-cylinder 3-litre Sunbeam twin o.h.c. engine. This too was subject to delays during the initial production, and in fact only about 120 were made.

Tolleshunt Knights. Tom BROWN.