1946 HRG Aerodynamic
- Engine
- 1.5L inline-four (Singer unit; later replaced with 2.5L Lea Francis during ownership, subsequently restored to correct 1.5L)
The HRG L/W98 is a rare pre-war-designed British lightweight sports car imported new to Lisbon in 1947 by Norwegian-descended ship chandler Simon Knudsen Hansen, who campaigned it extensively in Portuguese motorsport between 1948 and 1951, accumulating multiple class wins in rallies and hill climbs. After the original 1.5-litre engine was replaced mid-campaign with a 2.5-litre Lea-Francis unit, the car was later discovered in Portugal in 1989 and subjected to a thorough restoration, including fitment of a correct 1,500 cc engine, to the standard it retains today.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €165,600 (≈ $182K)
- 1947 →Acquisition unknownSimon Knudsen Hansenpartial documentation
Norwegian-descent ship chandler based in Lisbon who imported the car to Portugal around 1947 and used it actively in competition through 1951, during which time he swapped the original engine for a larger Lea Francis unit.
- 1989 →Acquisition unknownJoão Mendes de Almeidapartial documentation
Discovered the car in 1989 and commissioned a thorough rebuild, including sourcing a period-correct 1,500cc engine; the restoration quality remained impressive some three decades later.
Competition
- 19481948 Rallye Internacional a LisboaDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen
One of three consecutive Lisboa rally appearances by Hansen; no specific result recorded for this edition.
- 19491949 Rallye Internacional a LisboaDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen5th overall, 1st in class
Best recorded result across Hansen's three Lisboa rally entries.
- 19491949 Rali Nacional de MiramarDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen1st in class
- 19491949 Rali de ViseuDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen1st in class
- 19491949 Quilómetro de Arranque de EsposendeDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen1st in class
- 19501950 Rallye Internacional a LisboaDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen
Third and final Lisboa rally entry for Hansen; no specific result recorded for this edition.
- 1951Falperra International Hill ClimbDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen1st in class, 8th overall
Run near Braga; the enlarged 2.5-litre Lea Francis engine was fitted by this point, contributing to the improved overall placing.
- 1951Gradil Hill ClimbDriver: Simon Knudsen Hansen5th in class
Final competitive outing recorded for the car.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1951Modification
The factory-fitted 1.5-litre engine was removed and replaced with a larger 2.5-litre Lea-Francis unit to improve competitive performance.
Carried out by or at the direction of Simon Knudsen Hansen during his active competition period.
- 1989Restoration
A thorough ground-up rebuild was undertaken, which included sourcing and fitting a correct 1,500 cc engine to replace the non-original Lea-Francis unit installed in 1951.
Commissioned by João Mendes de Almeida after he discovered the car. The quality of the work was sufficient for the car to still present well some three decades later.
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