1931 Beverley Barnes 22/90hp Sports Chassis

Technical Specifications:

• Mark & Model: Beverley Barnes 22/90hp Sports Chassis
• Year: 1931
• Registration plate: Unregistered
• Chassis Number: 603
• Engine Number: 603
• Engine Capacity: 2732 cc
• Transmission: 4-speed Manual
• Mileage:
• Body style: Rolling chassis
• Interior color: n/a
• Exterior color: n/a
• Seating capacity: n/a
• Wheels and Tyres: Painted wire wheels

Overall Comments

This an almost unique opportunity to acquire the rarest of pre-War British sports cars, given it is believed that only two examples still survive. The engine, gearbox and chassis have been painstakingly restored and rebuilt by the current owner over a number of years, to produce a rebuilt rolling chassis with a running engine, which is ready to be finished off and mated to coachwork of choice by a new owner. Currently unregistered, the original registration mark – DG 2804 – was re-applied for in the ‘80s and the DVLC agreed and have noted the owners interest. The car is located in Jersey and we can assist with shipping and importation processes if required.

History

The Beverley Barnes must be one of the rarest of all British sports cars manufactured, with very few known survivors.

The car took its name from the location of the factory in which it was made at Barnes, in SW London. The founders of the Beverley Works were two Belgians - Lenaerts & Dolphens – who had undertaken engineering work during the First World War and subsequently moved on to supply the growing British motor industry – making parts for Bentley, Lagonda and Invicta amongst others. In order to showcase the company's engineering capabilities, they decided to make a car of their own – with the first, the 24/80, appearing in 1924. This luxury vehicle was powered by a straight–eight cylinder, overhead cam engine of 4 litres. As was common at the time, separate coachbuilding firms – e.g. Van den Plas – provided the bodies for the cars.

Taking the straight-eight engine as their unique selling point, the 4-litre was followed by a 5-litre of the same configuration – the 30/90 – then a 2.4-litre engine, later enlarged to 2.7 litres, by which time the engine carried double overhead cams. None of these Beverley-Barnes sold in any meaningful numbers and by 1931 the company ceased the production of any further cars, returning to engineering work for other manufacturers. Exact numbers are not known, but total production only just made double figures with perhaps 15 vehicles built.

The Beverley-Barnes 22/90 offered here was first registered in June 1931 but was likely built a couple of years earlier. It is believed only 2 or 3 were made. The straight-eight engine has a capacity of 2732 cc, twin overhead camshafts and twin carburettors. An American Warner four speed gearbox was used and braking aided by a vacuum servo.

This car was first registered as DG 2804 – a black, fabric saloon model – in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. It moved to Yorkshire the following year but may have quickly fallen into disuse as the last Road Tax stamp in the logbook is dated October ’34. In 1947 it was re-registered as FBT 498 by – appropriately – the licensing authority of Beverley, East Yorkshire. At this point, the car is recorded as a “Tourer” with the note “This machine has been built up from spare parts by licensee”. It looks like the car was again only in use for a couple of years in the Forties as the last logbook Road Tax stamp is for November ’49.

The car was then acquired by the previous owner and remained in his hands for several decades. It is not known when the body was removed from the chassis, nor when the chassis was shortened. The current owner purchased the non-running, part-assembled rolling chassis in 2010 at auction and set about restoration works to get the engine rebuilt and running and the rolling chassis mobile.

Body

The original saloon chassis was 16 feet long with a wheelbase of 11ft 2 ins. It is not known exactly when this was shortened but the work looks to have been professionally completed and all is in good order. Under current ownership, the chassis has been grit blasted, primed & painted black. The wire wheels renovated and powder coated black with new tyres and inner tubes fitted. There are 2 matching spare wheels with the vehicle. The brake drums have been blasted, primed & painted, with new linings fitted. The handsome radiator was previously restored and remains in excellent condition. Two period Marchal headlights are supplied with the vehicle.

Mechanical

Following the 2010 purchase, extensive engine work was carried out by Stemax Ltd. of Twyford, Berkshire. This included: o manufacture of new con rods; a new bell housing for clutch and new prop shaft o restoration big end shells o machine sludge grooves to con rod big ends – white metal o fit little end bushes; drill for oil; hone to gudgeon pins o clean up holes in crankshaft for new flywheel bolts & taper with locating pins o produce locating collars and clutch shaft o machine clutch shaft, modify clutch yoke. Design & produce clutch release & bearing o line bore clutch shaft after fitting bushes o fit Jaguar clutch The motor and gearbox were then engineer-assembled in Jersey and refitted to the restored rolling chassis. The distributor has been refurbished, as have the carburettors and a new exhaust system fitted. The motor has been fired up and runs nicely, idling very evenly. There is work to be completed on the transmission, with the clutch requiring further fettling.

Interior

A pair of period driver/passenger leather seats (unrestored) will be supplied with the vehicle.

Asking Price

£ 39,950