1925 Galloway 12hp UF Sport

Lot details
Registration No: BS 9456
Chassis No: RRUF17
Mot Expiry: March 2007

Founded in 1919, Galloway Motors Ltd was essentially the light car subsidiary of well-regarded Scottish manufacturer Arrol-Johnston Ltd. Operating from premises that the latter had used during World War I for the manufacture of Beardmore aero engines and retaining most of the same (predominantly female) skilled workforce, the new company's first car was engineered by one of its directors, T.C. Pullinger (an ex Darracq, Sunbeam and Humber employee who had been general manager at Arrol-Johnston since 1909). A thoroughly modern design, the Galloway 10/20 was powered by a 1460cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine complete with detachable cylinder head and unit construction three-speed manual gearbox. Based around a leaf-sprung (semi-elliptic front / quarter-elliptic rear) ladder frame chassis carrying rear wheel brakes, the model soon obtained a reputation for quality, durability and ease of maintenance. Progressively developed as production switched to Heathhall (Arrol-Johnston's main site), it formed the basis of the marque's later 12/20 (sidevalve) and 12/30 (overhead valve) creations - both of which displaced 1669cc. Made redundant by the 1927 merger of Aster and Arrol-Johnston, Galloway Motors was wound down the following year.
Finished in polished aluminium with black wings and grey leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "excellent condition" with regard to its 1669cc OHV engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. Said to have been "originally supplied to Australia in 1925 as a bare chassis", we understand that it "finished its working life as a locomotive on a light railway taking produce from farms to the local railhead". Later imported to the UK, it was subsequently acquired and "rebuilt by owner John Mazzoti between 2000 and 2005". A well respected engineer and long-term VSCC member, Mazzoti reportedly based the 12hp's 'duck's-back' coachwork on that of an early Alvis 12/50 owned by Frank Gilbert of Wilkinson's Coachbuilders, Derby (a willingly collaborator in the project). Configured as a two-seater with space for a dickey-seat or luggage locker in the tail, BS 9456 is reputed to be a "lively and comfortable" drive. An extremely rare and attractive motorcar, it is offered for sale with VSCC buff form logbook, large history file and MOT certificate valid until March 2007. Benefiting from four-wheel drum brakes and potentially eligible for VSCC Light Car & Edwardian Section events this Galloway comes highly recommended.