Description

1934 British Salmson 12/70 S4C Sports

Ranalah bodied tourer; exported to South Africa in the 1950s; brought back to the UK in 1976 and hardly touched since

An important and most interesting motor car, this 12/70 British Salmson wears the chassis number AZS113. It is from the first batch of 24 British Salmson’s produced in 1934, which makes it possibly the earliest car known to the owners’ club.

According to copies of the original factory records, kindly supplied by the club to our vendor, it was first registered in the UK as AYN 57 to A.L.Mulholland. Subsequent to this, it was owned by W.A Edwards, W.D.Ford and P.Bruce, before being exported to Cape Town, South Africa during the 1950s on behalf of well-known BSA agents, Stansfield Ratcliffe & Co. It appears there were another couple of owners in SA, before being purchased by our vendor's father for 550 Rand in 1972. He lived in SA at the time and bought it as a non-running project. After moving to the UK in 1976, he brought the car with him, endeavouring to complete the restoration here.

As a 12/70 sports model, it gains a remote-control gear change and higher geared crown wheel and pinion, making it the slightly ‘sportier’ model than its 12/55 sibling. Perhaps slightly sportier some years ago, but unfortunately the restoration in the UK rather stalled and the car still needs a lot of work. The engine certainly turns but has not been fired up for a considerable time and the Ranalagh body, although all there, may need some careful attention. The interior is almost a blank canvas for the new owner, although included with the car are what we suspect are the original front seats.

The file that arrived with the car documents much of the history, mainly from South Africa alongside handy excerpts from the club records, kindly supplied by the current Salmson archivist. It is presented with its South African registration, although there is also a current NOVA reference number so registering it in the UK should not prove to be too tricky with the help of the club.

Bidders should also be made aware that the next lot in the auction has also come from the same garage.

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