Back to back: Gwynne Tourer or A-Ford Speedster?

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No, we didn’t compare these two 1920s runabouts because of their Kermit the Frog-green hues. Bonhams, which will be selling both of them together in their MPH sale on the 11th of this month, has estimated them just about similarly – at £10,000 to 15,000. The auctioneer has recently also started to grade their offerings in 20 categories giving perhaps a better indication for buyers of what to expect. The duo seen here scores 40 points (the Gwynne) and 59 points (the Ford) and we’d love to hear from you what you think would be the better choice. But first a bit more about them.

1925 Gwynne Eight Tourer

To start with the eldest of the two: the Gwynne is an Eight Tourer of 1925, made in London with 950cc four-cylinder overhead valve engine. 2,250 Eights are believed to have been built, but we can’t remember the last time seeing one. This one seems a bit rough around the edges or is that patinated? The car is said to have been in the ownership of an academic but troubled family for ages, since it was bought by microbiologist Laurence Hayek and entomologist Christine Hayek – the son and daughter of Austrian-born economist and Nobel price winner Friedrich von Hayek. When the family patriarch moved Stateside after having been involved in a rather scandalous divorce, the siblings sold the Gwynne only to repurchase it as a project years later. The car has remained in the family since. Its history file is given 2 out of 5 points by Bonhams. An opportunity for a new owner to dig a little deeper in what has to be an interesting history?

1929 Ford Model A Speedster

The Ford of this story may be as interesting. It’s an ‘A’ of 1929 in Speedster-guise. We very much doubt it started its life as such and looks perhaps more Edwardian than it actually is? But on the other hand, it does look like a great fun vehicle also. The two bucket seats look like vintage armchairs but come with lap belts. The car is said to have been restored recently, although the engine still needs a rebuild. Again, ‘car history file’ is not its strongest point with just 1 out of 5 points. We’d love to dig a little deeper here.

Your choice?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy of Bonhams.

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