Lanchester Ten Saloon

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The Lanchester brothers are some of motoring’s true greats. Their originality, design genius and dedication to quality has never been surpassed.

'Autocar' once wrote that of the 36 primary features in modern motorcars, Lanchester were responsible for 18. If they had a blind spot it was commercial acumen, putting their principles before the ever-changing market conditions. So when they launched their new range of six and eight-cylinder 21hp and 31hp models in September 1932, just before the Great Depression, it was not long before the bank came knocking.

In 1930, with debts of over £38,000, the company was purchased lock, stock and barrel for just £26,000 by the BSA concern. They had already acquired Daimler and moved Lanchester production to the Daimler works in Coventry. The Lanchester brothers were kept on and oversaw the introduction of a new range of smaller cars, still of high quality but better suited to the prevailing market conditions.

Positioned at the entry-point of the new range, the 10hp was basically a BSA Ten (which was launched one month after the Lanchester 10 in October 1932). The sweet running 1,203cc four-cylinder in-line overhead valve engine was fitted with a 4-speed Wilson pre-selector self-changing gearbox and Daimler fluid flywheel driving through an open propeller shaft to a worm-drive for the half-floating back axle. The chassis was conventional, supported by half-elliptical springs wide-set to prevent roll and fitted with hydraulic shock-absorbers.

The motoring correspondent of 'The Times' reported: "The 10hp Lanchester will keep up 50 easily, even under load, and will do about 60 on the level. The six-light saloon is a car deluxe by its transmission which gives the greatest smoothness and simplicity, rapid acceleration, and additional safety, and also by its design, general finish, and quietness in running". The smallest Lanchester ever produced, it was by their standards a strong seller, with approximately 12,250 finding customers before production came to an end in 1936.

First registered in Hastings in January 1935, this Lanchester Ten has spent the last 23 years in the hands of a titled owner in Ireland but has been little used throughout that time apart from the odd trip to local shows. Reportedly the subject of much attention over the years, including an older repaint and more recent fettling of the electrics, it is said to be in running order but will doubtless benefit from some precautionary recommissioning before being put back into regular use.

At the time of cataloguing we had not had chance to inspect the history file for the car, but it is hoped that this will be in place by the time of the sale.

PS: On arrival at Brightwells this car started easily and drove nicely as we moved it around the yard for these photos.