Current Owner: Andrew Barnett, Victoria

MMM No: 2458

Information:  Built at Abingdon as a 2-seat roadster with the guarantee plate issued 2/12/35.

The car was later converted to Police specification on 18/3/36; this included fitment of a large ‘accurate’ speedometer, police sign and long range fuel tank and a fuel gauge.  The car was painted black with blue trim and wheels.

History:

The car was delivered to dealer J. Edwards and Son in Chester and registered ATF 258 on 24th of March 1936 for the Lancashire Constabulary. The price was 222 GBP less 10% fleet discount.

PB0566 was engaged in traffic patrol duties as part of the first ‘Courtesy Cop’ scheme at Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire.  In March 1937 after only a year is use it was sold to a car dealership and from then had a succession of private owners.

The next known owner was RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant John Robinson who took possession in February 1941, however he was killed in April 1941 when his aircraft crashed into the sea while on night patrol.  John flew Hurricanes and had fought in the Battle of Britain in 85 Squadron serving under Squadron Leader Peter Townsend later transferred to 242 squadron under the command of Squadron Leader Douglas Bader.  Images of John with the car show that it had been fitted with a grille from either an F or an L-type.  That grille remained on the car until it was later refurbished and repainted green, possibly in the 1960s.  The registration record shows that registration was suspended in 1962 and not reactivated until 1972.

Andrew Barnett bought the car in the UK in 1974 and after using it there briefly, shipped it to his home in Australia the same year.

It was then used regularly in club events and competition – even beating K3002 in one event (there were extenuating circumstances) but has been inactive for the last 20 years awaiting mechanical refurbishment.

• Listing ID: 2410
• Midget: PB
• Location: --Victoria
• Chassis Number: 0566
• Year of Production: 1935
• Previous Owners: Lancashire Constabulary, 36-37,
  Flt Lt John Robinson RAF, 41 (KIA)
  Albert Sudgen, Yorkshire 8/41,
  Mary Sudgen, Yorks 41-46
  Stanley Catling, Scarsborough 53
  John Ward, Hull 3/55
  Arthur Bellamy, Yorks 55-57
  Pauline Walshaw, Yorks 57 (Car too fast!)
  Cedric Brown, Hull 57-59
  Richard Wilkinson, Yorks 59-62
  Denis Lumb, Hull 62-?
  Graham Staples, Sussex 72
• Current Owner: Andrew Barnett
• Original Engine Number: 820 APB
• Current Engine Number: 820 APB
• Date Acquired: 1974
• Current Reg: ex-ATF 268 (UK)