Lot 033: 1935 RAILTON EIGHT SALOON

Although named after project consultant and World Land Speed Record car designer Reid Railton, the Railton marque was the brainchild of former Invicta founder, Noel Macklin. No stranger to the use of proprietary running gear, Macklin settled on the Hudson Essex-Terraplane chassis as the basis for a sporting Anglo-American hybrid. Introduced in 1933, the resultant Railton-Terraplane was a lightweight four-seater tourer with nigh-on 100mph performance. Based around a ladder-frame chassis equipped with lowered semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, Andre-Hartford telecontrol dampers and four-wheel drum brakes, it was powered by a flexible 4010cc straight-eight engine allied to three-speed manual transmission. Weighing in at just 2,260lbs and with some 94bhp on tap, the model enjoyed levels of acceleration that few rivals could match. If anything, the 1934 cars were faster still thanks to their adoption of the Hudson Challenger Eight chassis with its enlarged 4168cc, 113bhp powerplant. By now known simply as Railtons, they could be had with a variety of saloon, drophead coupe or tourer coachwork from the likes of John Charles Ltd (Ranalah), R.E.A.L., Carlton, Whittingham & Mitchell, Carbodies, Coachcraft and E.J. Newns. However, each variant bore the same Gordon Crosby designed Invicta-esque radiator shell and riveted bonnet decoration. Enjoying its best ever season in 1935, Railton reputedly sold some 377 cars. Finished in black with blue leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition. A Carbodies saloon that was first registered in Northallerton, 'VN 7885' has recently been repratriated from America. Treated to an extensive restoration whilst away, it performed notably well on a recent test drive. Sporting a fabric roof covering, twin side-mounted spare wheels and capacious boot, this delightful Railton is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until May 2008.