Lot Ended
Description
Extremely rare Series 6C four-seater, one of only 10 surviving; large
and interesting history file; well maintained and in regular use; a charming
example of this quirky front-wheel drive sportscar
Although BSA had
built their first car in 1907, they were much better known for their core
business of motorcycle production. They enjoyed some success with a range of
quirky three-wheelers which stole sales from Morgan in the early 1930s but the
car that really put BSA on the radar for the sporting driver was the
Scout.
Described by Autocar as ‘undoubtedly one of the
best-looking small cars in existence’, the Scout had front-wheel drive and a low
centre of gravity which gave it remarkably stable handling compared to rivals
like the Riley Nine and the MG Midget.
Produced in six series from 1935 –
1939, the Scout was available as a two- or four-seater open sports model or a
closed two-seater coupe. Initially powered by a Hotchkiss-designed 9hp 1,075cc
V-twin engine, this was replaced by a 10hp 1,203cc unit by the time the Series 3
came out in 1936.
With a Renault-style push/pull
3-speed gearbox and effective four-wheel brakes, it was considerably
cheaper than the MG T-Series Midget but with comparable 70mph performance and
with the bonus of more advanced independent front suspension. It also had a far
more spacious cabin than its notoriously cramped rivals thanks to a dash-mounted
gearchange and no central transmission tunnel to eat up precious
leg-room.
According to Graham Skillen's history
of the model, only 3,003 Scouts were made in total, of which 498 were Series 6
variants, just 132 of them Series 6C four-seaters which were built on a
longer chassis than the two-seater A or B variants. Known Series 6 survivors
numbered just 44 in 2016, current club records indicating that there are now
only five of the 6C four-seaters left in the UK, with a similar number overseas,
although the state of them is not recorded.
First registered in Canterbury in December 1938, this BSA Scout is
one of those few remaining Series 6C models and incorporates various
upgrades over its predecessors, including more powerful 12v electrics, Bendix
cable brakes and Easy-clean pressed steel wheels rather than wire wheels. The
engine was also improved with increased water-jacketing, three-bearing
crankshaft, more effective lubrication, larger valves and a downdraught
carburettor.
Little is known of the car’s early history but a buff logbook
shows that by 1959 it was owned by Medway Auto Sales of Chatham, moving to
Durham in 1962. From 1978 – 1991 it was owned by a Mr J Calver of Durham, a
leading member of the BSA FWD Owner’s Club who reputedly renovated the car
during his ownership.
From 1991 – 2008 it was
owned by a Mr P Pecherski of Ripley and from 2008 – 2014 by a Colonel Mark
Cuthbert-Brown of Shrewsbury who took it with him to Germany and used it as a
runabout while he was stationed with the BAOR in Osnabruck.
There are a good file of invoices from 2008
onwards to show regular upkeep, including what looks to be a fairly major engine
and cylinder head overhaul in 2012 with a new timing chain, core plugs, gaskets
etc.
Other stand-out items include a new
galvanised petrol tank in 2014; new Solex carb in 2013; new starter motor in
2012; new radiator core and new wiring loom plus many other new electrical
components in 2010; new brake linings and shocks rebuilt plus a new
electric water pump to supplement the thermosyphon cooling in 2008.
A fellow Army officer and BSA FWD Club member,
our vendor acquired the car from the Colonel in December 2014 and has continued
to look after it well, including a new battery and an overhaul of the starter
motor in 2020 and a new SU fuel pump earlier this year. A battery isolator
switch is also hidden beneath the dash and flashing indicators have been
discreetly incorporated into the sidelights.
Always in light regular use, nine old MOTs show the mileage rising
from 82,395 in April 1995 to 89,369 in July 2012 when it passed with advisories
recorded. Now MOT-exempt, our vendor has added another 300 miles or so during
his 12-year ownership, the odometer currently showing 89,673 miles.
Aside
from all the invoices and ownership records, there are also various historic
photos of the car, sundry useful spares plus a wealth of technical literature
relating to the model – original handbook, parts catalogue and lubrication
chart; period road tests; restoration manuals; over 200 club magazines; books on
BSA cars; technical bulletins from the club etc, a fraction of which is shown in
the photos here.
Indeed a photo of this very Scout appears on page
66 of the book celebrating 50 years of the Daimler & Lanchester Owner's
Club, BSA having taken over both these illustrious marques in 1910, finally
selling Daimler to Jaguar in 1960. The icing on the cake is the original
Kent-issue mumber plate, AJG 517, which is transferable and doubtless has a
value of its own.
To assist in keeping the car in
tip-top running order there is a very active BSA Front Wheel Drive Owner's club
which holds extensive stocks of spares, new and used. They also publish a
monthly magazine and stage many events and rallies, not to mention monthly
online virtual meetings, so the social side is well covered too.
As you can see in the photos, this charming and
well-historied Scout appears to be in great shape for an 88-year-old and has
been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with
healthy 40psi oil pressure.
In over 20 years of
hosting these sales, this is only the third Scout we have ever offered so you
are unlikely to see another for sale any time soon, let alone one as smart as
this rare Series 6C.
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com