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1934 Railton Eight news, pictures, and information | ||
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This car was imported from England in 1964 by its former owner. It is a 1934 Railton 'one-off' short wheelbase trials car. It was used in England during the 1930s for trials or 'off-road' type competition events. The eight-cylinder engine and entire chassis/drivetrain is 1934 Hudson. The chassis was shortened from 116-inches to 105-inches for racing. The car has two sets of shocks per wheel, wîth one set being adjustable from the driver's seat. It also has two fuel tanks. It's strictly a two-passenger vehicle!
The 254 cubic-inch engine features a Vertex magneto, racing camshaft, two-barrel carburetor and larger exhaust manifold. The intake-exhaust modification is intended to simulate what could have been on the car in 1938 when driven in trials by Donald Maclean, a notorious Russian spy.
The Railton is significant in automotive history. Noel Macklin, who produced the Invicta, became associated wîth Reid Railton of land speed record fame when Invicta's production was declining. Together they produced the Railton, starting in 1933 until WWII. Fewer than 1,500 Railtons were manufactured. The Railton grille was designed by famed 'Autocar' magazine artist F. Gordon Crosby, who also designed the original Bentley radiator shell for W.O. Bentley. Hudson's very smooth wet clutch and high torque engine enabled a driver to start effortlessly and smoothly from a dead stop in third (top) gear. The slogan 'Quickest by Railton' reflected zero-to-sixty road test times of less than ten seconds, phenomenal acceleration that wouldn't be matched by many other sports cars until well after the war.
In addition to being eligible for vintage racing wîth the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, this car is recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America and has participated in numerous CCCA regional and national meets.Source - The Owner of the Car
The 254 cubic-inch engine features a Vertex magneto, racing camshaft, two-barrel carburetor and larger exhaust manifold. The intake-exhaust modification is intended to simulate what could have been on the car in 1938 when driven in trials by Donald Maclean, a notorious Russian spy.
The Railton is significant in automotive history. Noel Macklin, who produced the Invicta, became associated wîth Reid Railton of land speed record fame when Invicta's production was declining. Together they produced the Railton, starting in 1933 until WWII. Fewer than 1,500 Railtons were manufactured. The Railton grille was designed by famed 'Autocar' magazine artist F. Gordon Crosby, who also designed the original Bentley radiator shell for W.O. Bentley. Hudson's very smooth wet clutch and high torque engine enabled a driver to start effortlessly and smoothly from a dead stop in third (top) gear. The slogan 'Quickest by Railton' reflected zero-to-sixty road test times of less than ten seconds, phenomenal acceleration that wouldn't be matched by many other sports cars until well after the war.
In addition to being eligible for vintage racing wîth the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, this car is recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America and has participated in numerous CCCA regional and national meets.Source - The Owner of the Car |  |  | 4-Place Tourer Coachwork: Berkeley |
This example is one of two Railton factory entries in the 1934 Alpine Trails, where it scored a perfect 1,000 points and was awarded the winner's cup. The body was built by Berkeley, one of several to supply bodies to Railton.
In 1933, the Invicta Company moved to London leaving an empty factory in Cobham which was soon taken over by Reid Railton. One of Railton's principle clients was an individual by the name of Mr. Cobb. John Rhodes Cobb was an individual who had the necessary means and finances to participate competitively in racing during the 1920s. His list of impressive cars included a 10-liter Fiat, a 27-liter Parry Thomas Special named the 'Babs' Special, and even a 10.5-liter Delage V12. His Delage was even drive to a lap record at the Brooklands circuit with an average speed of nearly 130 mph.
As Tim Birkin's supercharged Bentley Special began to outpace Cobb's Delage, it became clear that a new racing machine was needed. Cobb commissioned Thomson & Taylor to oversee the project. Reid A. Railton, the companies chief engineer, designed a chassis that could accept the weight and power of an aircraft engine. The Napier powerplant displaced an astonishing 24-liters and over 500 horsepower.
Railton, using his experience gained from work with the E.R.A. sports and racing cars, manufactured cars under his own name. His first 'Railton' was a four-seater car dubbed the 'Eight.' The name 'Eight' would be used until the outbreak of World War II. The eight-cylinder engine displaced just over 4000cc and was capable of producing 95 horsepower. Top speed was impressive at around 94 mph. The cars were built atop a Terraplane or Hudson chassis fitted with a Railton suspension. As the years progressed and the chassis improved, Railton adapted the modifications to fit his cars.
During the entire production lifespan of the Railton automobile, over 1,400 examples were produced. Just prior to WWII, Railton sold the company to an American Hudson dealer in London.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2009
For more information and related vehicles, click hereAs Tim Birkin's supercharged Bentley Special began to outpace Cobb's Delage, it became clear that a new racing machine was needed. Cobb commissioned Thomson & Taylor to oversee the project. Reid A. Railton, the companies chief engineer, designed a chassis that could accept the weight and power of an aircraft engine. The Napier powerplant displaced an astonishing 24-liters and over 500 horsepower.
Railton, using his experience gained from work with the E.R.A. sports and racing cars, manufactured cars under his own name. His first 'Railton' was a four-seater car dubbed the 'Eight.' The name 'Eight' would be used until the outbreak of World War II. The eight-cylinder engine displaced just over 4000cc and was capable of producing 95 horsepower. Top speed was impressive at around 94 mph. The cars were built atop a Terraplane or Hudson chassis fitted with a Railton suspension. As the years progressed and the chassis improved, Railton adapted the modifications to fit his cars.
During the entire production lifespan of the Railton automobile, over 1,400 examples were produced. Just prior to WWII, Railton sold the company to an American Hudson dealer in London.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2009
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| Eight |
