1935 | Railton Straight Eight Open Tourer

One of the most synonymous names in British motoring history, Railton Cars was founded in 1933 by Noel Macklin, a well-respected engineer who had already established his credentials as a top class car manufacturer with the Invicta marque which he founded in 1925. For his new venture, he teamed up with Reid Railton, another brilliant engineer perhaps most famous for designing Sir Malcolm Campbell's 'Bluebird' Land Speed Record cars of 1931 to 1935, and John Cobb's record-breaking 'Railton Mobil Special'. Manufactured at the old Invicta works on Fairmile estate in Cobham, Railtons' were handbuilt to order for a wealthy client base, no two Railtons were exactly alike but all were excellent cars and survivors are highly sought after today. The marque was effectively killed-off at the outbreak of WW2, having manufactured 1,379 Eights of all types.

Our vendor, a serial Railton owner and highly respected enthusiast, has owned this very car since 1962. He first saw the car outside a sweet shop and purchased it, using it as his main car and for many road trips and events subsequently, before storing it away in his garage, where it would stay for circa 50 years, before he decided it was time to treat his beloved Railton to a major restoration. During those 50 years, other Railtons came and went but this one remained and now after a 63 year ownership, it is being offered for sale for a lucky new owner to continue it's story. This example started life as a Carbodies Tourer and a photo is in the history file of it with four wheels off the ground at the Brooklands test hill, in an event sometime in the late 1930's. The car was then rebodied sometime after WW2 by Abbot, effectively adding a boot onto the rear and the lines of the aluminium body are perfectly complimented by the two tone black and cream colour combination. The restoration was carried out to a very good standard, the interior is especially nice, with repurposed antique wooden furniture used for the dashboard and door cappings, engine-turned aluminium for the instrument panel and beautiful black leather upholstery, as well as a new hood, hood bag, tonneau cover, carpet and boot lining. The history file contains copies of 1960's correspondence between our vendor and the previous owner, copies of the original buff logbook, photos of our vendor driving the car in period, a V5C registration document, some photos of the restoration, invoices and Railton club literature. This is a very special car which is well known in Railton circles which was restored as a labour love and will be dearly missed by our vendor. Also to note, the car will be featured soon in The Automobile magazine and Railton Owner's Club July magazine. Consigned by Fraser Smith

Lot details
Year: 1935
Make: Railton
Model: Eight Tourer by Abbot
Registration: DPF 89
Chassis No: 545207
Odometer: tba


* In present ownership since 1962 by a highly respected Railton enthusiast

* Fully restored in recent years