1938 HRG Airline Coupe Airline Coupe

The HRG Engineering Company was founded in 1936 by Major Edward Halford, Guy Robins, and Henry Ronald Godfrey. (The name of the company was taken from these individuals' surnames). Production lasted until 1956 and during that time, the company produced just 241 vehicles. Of those, it is estimated that around 225 examples still exist. All of the vehicles were roadsters, except one - the 1938 HRG Coupe. The Coupe was also the only vehicle powered by a Triumph engine.

The frame for the HRG Coupe was constructed from the chassis of the Halford-Cross Rotary Special race car. The chassis was widened to accommodate the coupe body and was then given chassis number WT-68. The fenders and bonnet were the work of the Crofts Coachbuilding firm which also handled the body assembly. The rear section of the car was a second series of the MG Airline coupe manufactured by Carbodies. The result of the work made its debut at the Brooklands Race Track in England in 1938, but never went into production due to the onset of World War II and the departure of its proponent Halford.

After Halford left the company, the partners decided not to continue with the project. The car was modified to accept the second-series Carbodies, Inc. MG Airline coupe body. Crofts Coachbuilding assembled the car and formed the unique fenders and bonnet. Power comes from a Triumph Dolomite four-cylinder, 1,496cc engine offering 55 horsepower. The exterior is painted in Dolomac Ivory, while the interior is done in custom green leather with Brazilian Sapplewood accents. It was intended to be shown during the 1939 motor show season, but those plans were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II and the body style never went into production.

The current owner purchased the sole example (re-christened chassis number WT-68) in 1965. With a mixed history until purchased in 1965 for the equivalent of $20 by its current owner, the car was disassembled and brought back to the United States in 1983. It has undergone extensive restoration at Hahn and Woodward in Harmony, Pennsylvania. When the restoration work was completed, it made its restoration debut at the 2010 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. It was taken to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to complete one lap. In 2011, the car was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.