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2:37 pm
QuoteHi,
My father, A K Hunt competed in the 1937 Monte Carlo Rally in a Wolseley (entrant 8. Car Reg. COM 3) with S C H Davis and George Hill. I believe it to be Salon de Ville 25 h.p. ?
I have a number of photos of the car taken by my late father but am unable to attach them here. I am happy to share the photos if an email address is forthcoming.
Is there anyway of establishing if the car still exists? Perhaps with a different registration number?
I also have a Wolseley sales brochure which unfortunately has some water damage on the first two pages but am happy to pass on if someone would like it.
Regards,
Jon Hunt.
9:58 pm
Moderators
November 14, 2022
OfflineHi Jon
That sounds like an interesting history!
Unfortunately COM 3 is not known to exist on our List of Recorded Wolseleys, nor is it known to the DVLA database, so I’m afraid it doesn’t look good.
The Series II 25hp Salon de Ville is a rare beast, and we only have one known example on our list.
Bob
8:56 pm
Moderators
November 14, 2022
Offline
My late father Alan Ketland Hunt was a keen motor rally enthusiast in the 1930s and took part in many UK competitions. He took part in both the 1935 and 1936 Monte Carlo rallies in a Singer with lady driver Jackie Astbury.
However as a respected co driver and navigator he teamed up with S C H Davis and George Hill in the 25 h.p. Wolseley Salon de Ville, registration COM 3, for the 1937 Monte Carlo Rally starting from Umea in Sweden. S C H ‘Sammy’ Davis was editor of Autocar and had won the 1927 Le man 24hr race in a Bentley. George Hill, as far as I know worked for Wolseley perhaps in the PR department.
My understanding is that their Wolseley won the Grand Prix D’Honneur for best coachwork in the class. They came 42nd out of a total of 81 finishers with a further 40 failing to complete the rally. George Hill worked at Wolseley cars in the experimental department so no doubt had a hand in some of the innovations.
There is a very brief Pathe news report on youtube with the opening shot being their Wolseley COM 3 going over the finish line in 1937:-
9:07 pm
Moderators
November 14, 2022
Offline3 pictures of the Wolseley on the rally:
Photo 2:- Note the swastika pendant on the n/s front wing, which was compulsory driving through Germany in 1937.
9:11 pm
Moderators
November 14, 2022
OfflineFinal 3 pictures!
1st picture:- Matching monogramed leather luggage!
Last picture:- George Hill from Wolseley special operations department using the underfloor basin.
10:46 pm
Moderators
November 14, 2022
OfflineBefore the 1937 Monte Carlo rally, Alan Hunt had rallied a 1933 Hornet Special Daytona, including at the Colmore Trophy Trial, during which the car was photographed negotiating Gypsy Lane at Winchcombe on February 23rd, 1934. Alan was driving, with R. C, Paulet as passenger, and they won a 3rd class award.
7:24 pm
Guests
January 22, 2020
Offline
Hi John Hunt,
Is there a connection of your father and the Hunt garage in Birmingham in the 1930s,
I have a Wolseley 12/48 coupe with a plate that it was supplied at the Hunt garage
Kind regards Hans
9:17 pm
Hi Hans,
I am sadly not aware of any family connection to any garage in Birmingham in the 1930’s.
My Hunt family were involved in engineering in Wolverhampton, north east of Birmingham, in the 1920s but my fathers interest in motorsport was purely a hobby.
Jon.
9:19 am
Guests
April 15, 2019
OfflineHi Jon,
Sorry I haven’t logged on for a while..
It’s great that you are able to share your family history along with some fascinating Wolseley related info too.
It’s great to see where car rallying came from and compare with rallying today….
I can relate to taking photos of muddy cars from my time competing and organising 12 car rallies at uni.
However going from fitted sinks and luggage to modern cars with roll cages and full harnesses fire extinguishers etc shows a complete change of thinking and philosophy I think….
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