1935 Lanchester Twelve Fixed Head Coupe

Wed, 19th Oct 2022 13:00 Imperial War Museum, Duxford No Reserve https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1935-lanchester-twelve-light-six-fixed-head-coup/?lot=56453&so=0&st=lanchester&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=48&pn=1&g=1 Attractive two-door, four-seater Fixed Head Coupe Coachwork by H. J. Mulliner Subject to much restoration work in 2007 The beneficiary of approximately £2,000 worth of improvements in 2020/21 One of just 1,075 examples understood to have been manufactured and one of a much lower number provided with coachbuilt bodies Offered from the late Robert Riding’s Estate at No Reserve, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the largest beneficiary Three of the four Lanchester brothers – Fred, George, and Frank - arguably built the first truly all-British car in 1895 and quickly established a pattern of memorable automotive innovation. Sadly, in common with many other British marques, their company nevertheless succumbed to financial trouble and was taken over by BSA in 1931, which had already absorbed Daimler some eighteen years earlier. As a result of the above, the Lanchester Light Six of 1935/1936 became an early example of badge engineering, being very similar to the BSA Light Six and sharing its body with the Lanchester 10. The standard fare was a four-door, four-seat Saloon mounted on cross-braced chassis. However, some very attractive bespoke alternatives were produced by a range of independent coachbuilders. The newcomer was powered by a 1378cc six-cylinder overhead valve engine that was fed by a single SU carburetter. The unit drove via a fluid flywheel to a four-speed pre-selector gearbox and on to an underslung worm drive rear axle. The suspension was by semi-elliptic springs all around. The standard Saloon would have sold for around £340 in period and some 1,075 examples of the model were made all told, making it a rare car in this day and age. Chassis number 26004 was manufactured in 1935 and supplied to H. J. Mulliner who provided the attractive two-door, four-seater fixed head coupe coachwork the Lanchester is presented in. Purchased into the private collection of the late-Robert Furniss Riding in 2002, the collection is now offered from the collection at No Reserve, the vast majority of the estate having been left to charity with the RNLI as the largest beneficiary. Originally fitted with the 1378cc six-cylinder overhead valve engine, this unit has been replaced with a later introduced 11hp four-cylinder engine (of 1444cc) allied to the pre-selector transmission. Previously in the family ownership of Lanchester marque historian, Chris Clark, it was thought to have been retained in his family for some 38 years. Presented in Red with a Black roof, the interior features Red leather interior upholstery, door-cards and carpeting, and a wool-cloth headling. The Lanchester was subject to much restoration work in 2007 comprising a complete re-wire; an electric fuel pump; renewed cooling system; exhaust system repairs; relined brakes; an overhauled distributor and much more. Recently provided with further improvements encompassing a refurbished water pump, radiator renovation, and coolant system flush; bodywork repairs; and a fuelling system overhaul totalling approximately £2,000 through 2020-2021. Accompanied by a history file that contains a collection of invoices; model and technical information; an original spare parts catalogue and re-production maintenance manual; a previous V5C document; MOT certificates from between 1984 and 2002; sundry paperwork; and the Isle of Man registration document.

Added 3 Apr 2026