1947 Hrg 1500 Burgundy

History

The period of time from the late 1930s to the 1950s gave birth to some of the most well-known names in speed thanks to the golden age of racing, hot rod culture, and the Sports Car Club of America, or the SCCA. It also gave birth to individuals looking to follow in the footsteps of those giants by creating their own organizations or even their own race cars.

HRG Engineering Company of Tolworth, Surrey, England, was one such story. Founded in 1936 by Major Edward Halford, Guy Robins, and Henry Ronald Godfrey, the company’s name was derived from the first letter of their surnames. In 1, the company announced a shorter 1100cc model followed by a 1500cc model in 1939. 

Around 1947, HRG created the 1500 Aerodynamic model on nearly the same chassis as the standard 1500 model but with a heavier emphasis on sleek lines. According to HRG historian Ian Dussak, 34-37 cars were produced but other sources put the number as high as 45. Of the cars produced, 14 were ultimately rebodied in the more traditional “square” body of the standard 1500 cars. Experts estimate that 12 examples have survived worldwide.

In 1950, Guy Robins left the company and S. R. Proctor joined as technical director. Sports car production ended in 1, they made a prototype Vauxhall VX 4/90-powered sports car. The company ceased trading in 1966, making a profit until the end.

This Car

This particular example, Chassis # W, it was initially sold to Mr. Thomas Donnelly of Palm Beach, FL, before being soon sold to its second owner, Mr. Fellows, also of Palm Beach. In late 1949, the car returned to Mr. Schraft’s dealership, where the manager, Mr. Phillip Stiles, took ownership of it. Mr. Stiles informed the factory of the car’s current status and requested a number of spare parts shipped over from the UK.

Mr. Stiles was a big proponent of early racing, organizing and participating in many of the SCCA’s early racing events, including the Palm Beach races of 1950. He was also the race master at the first Sebring endurance race in 1. After that race, the car sported a significantly modified front end, likely to aid with brake cooling. Mr. Stiles bobbed the fenders, moved the headlights down low in the center of the front end, and initially did away with any grille but later found various louver solutions for better airflow. The body was also repainted around this time to a light blue with red wheels.

The last recorded race for the W111 was another Palm Beach road race on December 8, 1, Mr. Charles Hof of Pennsylvania was the next registered owner of W111, who reportedly purchased the car in poor condition. Around 1964, a Mr. Richard Spangler owned the car and attempted to rebuild it in his apartment, although the result is unknown.

Sometime in the 1 Watkins Glens races, he immediately recognized the car, purchased its remains, and set out on an expansive restoration. It is worth noting that Mr. Ford was a well-known enthusiast in the mid-atlantic region and a long-time member of the Old York Roads Sports Car Club, one of the oldest clubs of its kind in North America. The car sports an OYRCC badge and the car is otherwise well-known within the region and club. 

The chassis and body required extensive reconstruction, with new portions of the frame rails having been grafted onto the originals. The body from the firewall back retained most of the original substructure but was reskinned. The doors and rear fenders all appear to be original to the car, but the front end had to be completely fabricated. While all the brakes are correct HRG, they appear to be a combination of parts from W111 and other cars.

The restored car was then inherited by Mr. Fred Brubaker before the current owner acquired it from him. He has since rebuilt the carburetors, fixed the oil filter, rebuilt the rear suspension, rebuilt the brakes, flushed the fluids, and corrected a number of issues with controls and wiring. W111 also received new tires, a new battery, and a period-correct center rearview mirror.

Following these service items, the car starts and runs well. The only reported issues are the transmission occasionally popping out of third gear, slight smoke on startup and idle after spirited driving, and the need for the brakes to be readjusted after further driving. A front-end alignment would also be ideal.

As it sits, this is an extremely rare and pedigreed example of early racing history. If only its body panels could talk, Chassis # W111 would tell stories of the glory of participating in some North America’s most famous races, when the SCCA was but a nascent organization and breaking the speed limit in organized events was just starting to become a pastime. With only 12 HRG Aerodynamic examples reported to still be in existence, you will be hard-pressed to find another one, especially one quite like this one.

Upon purchase, the new owner will receive the original windshield, gas tank, and firewall, along with copies of all historical documents, including race entry sheets, the engine build sheet, and the timing sheet.

The Details

Body & Paint: As an older restoration of a car born out of a cottage industry of auto manufacturers of 1940’s England, this HRG remains respectable, show worthy enough and presentable. It is however showing its age here and there. The paint is consistent throughout and retains a deep luster that one could continue to improve upon with a color correction. We can see some primer shrinkage in areas, some fish eyes and minor instances of impurities in the finish toward the rear of the car. None of which warrant refinishing, as at that point it would make more sense to complete a total repaint. The panels are straight overall, but the gaps are that of a hand-built car and are of the standard for the period and a car that was originally “built in a shed”. All appropriate for what it is ultimately, and improvement would only be realized in a total restoration.

Glass & Trim: The glass is limited to the two brooklands screens which are blemish free and the original windscreen which is included in the sale which does show to be cracked and features a PA inspection sticker from 1961.

Wheels: The wire wheels are in excellent condition overall and look wonderful in the current shade of dark red. They feel true and without any issues to note.

Seats & Surfaces: The interior is spartan with little in the way of comforts, however what is there has been carefully tended to. The seats are very high quality and appear to be connolly leather in the correct style and expertly restored. The rest of the interior is raw aluminum with the exception of some mats. We have noted that the passenger side door-handle needs to be fixed as it will not stay in place. Otherwise the floors, door panels, center tunnel, dash facia etc… are all in good condition and present well if not showing minor scratching as raw aluminum tends to do.

Functionality & Accessories: The few switches that the car has appear to be in working order, rear turn signals, interior lighting, exterior lighting etc… The gauges all appear to be in correct working order as well.

Engine Bay: The engine bay continues the theme of raw metal from the interior with a firewall showing carefully routed fuel lines and accessibility to all aspects of the engine thanks to the modified front end which shows to have been well-engineered. The engine shows some minor leaks and missing paint and overall the engine bay shows signs of use. However it is in keeping with the theme of the rest of the car as an older restoration and a car that has seen some use. The car remains well serviced overall and the engine bay shows well overall.

Trunk Area: The trunk area is tidy, again with raw aluminum throughout. The gas tank though not the original is in excellent condition with the original included in the sale. The spare fits neatly in the center under which is a variety of hold downs that have been added for various tools/accessories. Beyond the battery there is not much else in the trunk area and it remains in good condition overall.

Underside: The underside shows that of a car that has seen a total restoration and remains in excellent condition with nothing out of place nor are there any excessive leaks or other issues to note. Signs of use are present but overall the underside is in good condition and in keeping with the rest of the car.

Engine:  The engine starts quickly and easily, smokes a little upon startup but goes away within a few minutes and especially once warm. It holds excellent oil pressure and stays cool, although our testing was completed during winter. The engine makes ample power for a 4-cylinder 1500cc unit and feels ready for use.

Transmission: The transmission shifts well, is deliberate and the clutch operation is no different. There are no signs of any issues beyond prior owners stating that it pops out of third which we did not experience during our short drive.

Brakes & Suspension: The brakes are of the period, they work as one would expect for an all mechanical system. Though the car is light and they are mostly effective with almost no pulling upon hard braking. The suspension is the same, no unwanted noises and the experience matches the time in which the car was built.

Tires: The tires are Excelsior 4.75/5.00-17 on all 4 corners + spare with 2021 date codes. They appear to be nearly new and remain supple.

Driving Experience: The experience of driving this HRG 1500 Aerodynamic is unique. While the idea of a Singer powered 4-cylinder, 1