1925 Lanchester 40

This unique Lanchester 40hp has bodywork of teak & ash, arranged in spectacular fashion: "follows in design the beautiful lines of a racing boat". The 4 hood positions can be fully hidden within the bodywork, a hood over the front seat only, a full hood, and the full hood covering the front hood to create a wind barrier for the rear-seat passengers. The cockpit single seat, last used by Sir David Jason in his Channel 4 production of 'Great British Inventions' is well served with a folding Brooklands racing screen.

The engine has overhead-camshaft, cross-flow cylinder-head, dual ignition, all of the finest engineering. The quick-change, quiet epicyclic gearbox also allows for 3 options of power on the 4-wheel, servo-assisted brakes. Cantilever suspension supports the Lanchester worm-drive rear axle.

This very special car is definitely eye-catching on the road and in any exhibition. It is scaled up from George Lanchester's design for the smaller 21hp, the extra size available being perfect for 2 rows of 2/ 3 seats plus, of course, Sir David's cockpit seat.

It won the coveted 'Lanchester Register Shield' for the best car at the 2019 Lanchester touring rally and, after a long spell in secure storage, it was honoured again earlier this year.