Railton Fairmile Cabriolet – 1935 - Lot 24

Railton Fairmile Cabriolet – 1935 French registration title Sold without contrôle technique SANS RÉSERVE Reid Railton, born in 1895 and a graduate of Manchester University, worked for Leyland Motors, then a lorry manufacturer. When he met engineer and racing driver John Godfrey Parry-Thomas, the two men became friends after developing the group’s high-end engine for the Leyland Eight, which was intended to compete with Rolls-Royce. They left Leyland in 1923 to set up their own company: Thomas managed the administrative side and Railton was responsible for manufacturing small sports cars under the Arab brand. In 1926, they built a record-breaking car called Babs, but Thomas was killed during a new record attempt. Railton continued to build record-breaking cars for Sir Malcolm Campbell and John Cobb (the famous Napier-Railtons!), among others. An industrialist named Noël Macklin, who had sold his company to Invicta, offered him a contract to use his name for his new car brand: Railton. Based on Hudson chassis modified by Railton himself (first Terraplane then Eight chassis), both in terms of engines (pushed) and running gear and braking, and bodied in England, they quickly built a solid reputation, particularly for their performance... In 1939, ironically, Macklin sold the Railton company to Hudson, but it did not survive the war. Less than 1,500 cars were built, and it is estimated that around 200 examples have survived, including five Fairmile 1 convertibles like the one offered here (3-seater). The Railton featured on these pages was built entirely in aluminium by Coachcraft Ltd and bears the number 351. The bodywork is very elegant and well proportioned, with a very long bonnet synonymous with power. The interior reflects English luxury, with leather and wood. Railtons are very rare on the market. A sort of early Cobra (let’s not mince words, others have made the same comparison before us), these are cars that urgently need to be rediscovered... Please note that, having been little used in recent years, this Railton Eight will need to be restarted and serviced before use.