How many Clyno cars exactly came to Australia during the 1920s?

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We received the following message:

“I am an Australian motoring journalist writing an article about a 1926 Clyno (the car in the picture (click to enlarge)) that came to our shores during the 1920s. In researching for information for the article I am trying to find out how many came to Australia. I understand that the Rootes Organization was the UK exporting agent.

I understand that Clyno was a family company, originally a motorcycle manufacturer stating in 1909, then shifting to car production in 1922. Taking on the might of British manufacturers Austin and Morris at their own game, in an attempt to build a better-quality value-for-money car for the masses, and with 12,000 built-in 1926 alone, they were to become the third largest car manufacturer in England during the ‘Roaring Twenties’. However, the family company was underfinanced and by the time the effects of the ‘Great Depression’ hit in 1929, they were insolvent and the end was nigh.

In seven short years of production, they achieved a great deal, with some 50,000 cars produced, including exports to several countries, ours being one. It is not known just how many arrived on our shores, but 47 did in chassis and associated running gear guise (the result of our federal government’s import restrictions on fully built up vehicles in order to protect the local motor body building industry) came to Sydney with the bodies built in Alexandria by Steenbhoms Motor Bodies. I also know that 58 were shipped to Adelaide, where Holdens Motor Body builders fitted the bodies. I have no doubt more were shipped to other Australian ports where the local motor body builders would fit the bodies.”

As you can read Jim has amassed a deal of information about the company. Now he is particularly interested to find out how many Clyno cars exactly came to Australia during the 1920s. And if any of them are still around. Jim already managed to track down three other ones plus “half a car of parts (chassis etc)” as he told us. Besides this, he is also attempting to find out the motor body builders who contracted to build the bodies. About this, he wrote to us“ you see our government back then had a strict tariff on importing motor vehicles that were complete – in order to protect our motor body builders – you could only import the chassis with its running gear ready to accept a body.”

Very knowledgeable readers and friends. Is there anyone who can help Jim further in his research? Any information on the above marque would be of great assistance. Please comment below.

We look forward to reading the final article about this beautiful 1926 Clyno Jim!

Words by the editor. Photograph sent in by Jim Gibson.

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