1930 Invicta 4½–Litre Series 'A' High Chassis
Registration No. GX 1906
Chassis No. A49
In its all-too-short lifetime, Invicta carved out an enviable reputation for building fine sporting motor cars, the bigger Meadows-engined models in particular offering class-leading performance and impeccable build quality.
Like the contemporary Bentley, the Invicta was designed by men with backgrounds in competition motoring and both were produced to the highest standard. Price was only a secondary consideration, a factor that contributed to both firms' failure to survive the Depression years of the early 1930s. Like Bentley, Invicta struggled against rising costs and falling sales, the final car leaving the factory, appropriately enough, on Friday 13th October 1933.
Invicta cars quickly established a reputation for outstanding durability, bolstered by the award of the RAC's coveted Dewar Trophy in 1926 and 1929, largely for the marque's successes in long-distance reliability trials.
In 1928, Invicta introduced a new 30hp model powered by the ubiquitous Meadows 4½-litre six, which was first shown to the public at the Olympia Motor Show in October. Finished to Rolls-Royce standards, the 4½-Litre chassis cost a staggering £985 at a time when the average UK house price was £590! It would go on to form the basis of the successor NLC, Type A, and famous S-Type 'low chassis' sports model.
Like most low-speed engines, the Meadows six produced ample torque in the lower and middle speed ranges. Indeed, in 1930 the Cordery sisters drove their high chassis tourer from London to Edinburgh in top gear. This same car was then driven by Donald Healey in that year's Alpine Trial, winning its class.
The 4½-litre Invicta had few equals as a very fast but comfortable high-speed touring car, its greatest appeal being an ability to cover big mileages at high average speeds with no strain, either to driver or the machinery. The high chassis cars are, arguably, more comfortable and better suited to long-distance touring than the low chassis models.
Little is known of the early history of ‘A49’ until it passed into the hands of serial Invicta owner Clive Rides, circa 30 years ago. Having advertised in the Wanted pages for Invicta spares Clive was contacted by a farmer in Yorkshire who had a bodyless but otherwise complete High Chassis car, which had been used for driving round his fields, this turned out to be ‘A49’ which Clive purchased from him, see images on file of the car as purchased. At that point the car was still fitted with its original Meadows engine number 7317 which it retains today.
Over many years Clive gradually fully restored the car shortening the chassis to the shortest standard wheelbase offered by Invicta and constructing a lightweight tourer body, with a view to using the car in UK Vintage Sports Car Club trials.
Purchased by the current owner from Clive in 2022 with VSCC Speed Hillclimb use in mind. Whilst in his ownership it has benefitted from a new set of 19-inch road wheels made by Richards Brothers of Cardiff, shod with Blockley tyres (set of 20-inch wheels with tyres offered with car), it has also been re-painted in British Racing Green and a new walnut veneer dashboard made for the car. The period correct Surrey UK registration number ‘GX 1906’ was also acquired for the car.
Only offered for sale now due to the owner no longer taking part in hill-climbing, ‘A49’ would we believe offer a relatively affordable alternative to a WO Bentley or Vauxhall 30-98 for vintage class VSCC Trialling or long-distance rallying, offering similar performance and arguably superior durability at a fraction of the price.
£89,000