1937 Railton Eight Sportsman Drophead Coupe

This Railton Sportsman Drophead Coupe wears aluminum coachwork by Ranalah. When new, it was given U.K. registration FPH 437. It is unrestored and as of 2002, it was believed to be one of just four remaining. The car was ordered new by its original owner, Bruno Benkert, who emigrated from Germany to England in the aftermath of World War I. The car was completed in mid-1937, but its serial number denotes its chassis as a 1936 model. This was consistent with Col. Macklin's practice of buying 'leftover' chassis from Hudson's London distributor.

This vehicle has a radiator by Serck's with a unique chrome grille shell. It also was fitted with the Andre Telecontrol shock absorber system, with dash-mounted controls. Mr. Benkert ordered the car was optional equipment including a cigarette lighter and ashtray, optional bumpers, dual glove boxes with doors, stem-wound in-dash clock, and Lucas steering damper. Other features included electric/manual windscreen wipers, trafficators, a side-mounted spare, a reserve fuel lever, front and rear built-in jacks, and a rumble seat with an inside latch.

In preparation for an extended European tour in 1949, this car was fitted with the addition of two facing seats for his young children and retrimming of the interior in Naugahyde.

This Railton would pass through several more UK owners until 1968 when an Englishman brought the car to the United States, where it was acquired by Elwyn Muzzey of Ohio. He later sold it to Ray Pschirer of Pennsylvania, who in turn sold it to Pete Booz, who sold it in September 2003 to the Hostetlers.

This car is powered by a 254 cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine fitted with a single downdraft carburetor. It has a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2019