Cars at the Spa
Photographed last year as well, this wonderful car is an Austin Swallow, but not quite what it seems. In 1927, William Lyons, co-founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company, saw commercial potential in producing a tourer based on the Austin 7. He bought a chassis and commissioned Swallow's coachbuilder Cyril Holland, to produce a distinctive open tourer: the Austin Seven Swallow. It was the height of saloon car fashion to have the back of the body fully rounded, or ‘dome’ shaped, which I imagine was probably quite aerodynamic. At £175, the Swallow proved popular and was followed in 1928 by a saloon version. Approximately 3,500 bodies of various styles were produced up until 1932, when Lyons started making complete cars under the SS brand. These proved so popular that Lyons was forced to move in 1928 from Blackpool to new premises in Coventry. This particular one, as I discovered when complimenting its owner on its immaculate condition, is actually a replica, which is a pretty amazing feat in itself. This is the elegant chrome marque on the bonnet.
Cars at the Spa
Photographed last year as well, this wonderful car is an Austin Swallow, but not quite what it seems. In 1927, William Lyons, co-founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company, saw commercial potential in producing a tourer based on the Austin 7. He bought a chassis and commissioned Swallow's coachbuilder Cyril Holland, to produce a distinctive open tourer: the Austin Seven Swallow. It was the height of saloon car fashion to have the back of the body fully rounded, or ‘dome’ shaped, which I imagine was probably quite aerodynamic. At £175, the Swallow proved popular and was followed in 1928 by a saloon version. Approximately 3,500 bodies of various styles were produced up until 1932, when Lyons started making complete cars under the SS brand. These proved so popular that Lyons was forced to move in 1928 from Blackpool to new premises in Coventry. This particular one, as I discovered when complimenting its owner on its immaculate condition, is actually a replica, which is a pretty amazing feat in itself. This is the elegant chrome marque on the bonnet.