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 1935, Godfrey approached Halford with the idea of creating their own sports car, drawing upon the experience the duo gained from racing at Brooklands. Guy Robins joined as the third member upon the company’s founding.

The cars were built at Mid-Surrey Gear Company in Hampden Road, Norbiton, with influence taken from Godfrey’s tenure at both the GN Company, a company he created with Archibald Frazer-Nash, and later the eponymous Frazer Nash company that his former partner had started. The first HRG model cost £395. In 1938, 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 1956 after 241 examples were produced, although the company remained in business as an engineering and development assistant for others, including Volvo. In 1965, 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 # W111, is reportedly one of only two cars that were delivered new to the U.S. It was sold new via George Schraft’s import car dealership in Palm Beach, Florida. Schraft was part of the Schraft candy company family and was also known for the Schraft’s restaurant in New York City. He was a wealthy gentleman with a love of sports cars and racing and the funds to support both.

W111 was originally painted red, with either red or black wheels and body-contrasting black upholstery. In 1947, 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 1950 and even raced a Crosley at LeMans alongside the dealership’s owner, Mr. Schraft.

The W111 took part in numerous such early races piloted by Mr. Stiles but suffered a crash during its first outing at the Palm Beach road races in 1950. 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, 1951. While a detailed record of W111’s racing history is on file for review, there is a gap in the timeline following this race. We can only assume Mr. Stiles sold the car, likely to a Mr. Morton, although records of that name have not been found, and it is believed they had an accident in the car. By 1957, 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 1970s, a Mr. Gary Ford spotted W111 in a field in the Lancaster, PA, area. Having attended the 1950 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