1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low Chassis
- Engine
- 4.5L inline-six (Meadows), rebuilt to fast road/racing spec, ~180 bhp
Chassis S80 is a 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type 'Low Chassis' — one of approximately 75 examples built — originally bodied by Vanden Plas and first registered in Britain as GP 37. Nicknamed 'Sea Urchin', the car carries a documented ownership chain stretching back to 1938 and has competed extensively across European circuits and rallies since the late 1970s. Its Meadows six-cylinder engine was professionally rebuilt to fast road and racing specification, developing around 180bhp. Both the original Vanden Plas fixed-head coupé body and a later Superleggera aluminium body are included.
Ownership
- 2019-10-11Auction saleSold €844,000 (≈ $928K)
- 1944 →Acquisition unknownLuis Juan Castagninopartial documentation
Based in Cornwall; acquired the car in 1944.
- 1946 → 1948Acquisition unknownLord Charles Martinpartial documentation
London-based owner who held the car for approximately two years.
- 1948 → 1978Acquisition unknownJames Leslie McConchiepartial documentation
Durham-based owner who retained the car for roughly three decades before selling.
- 1978 → 1987Acquisition unknownWilliam Symonspartial documentation
Based in Otterburn; campaigned the car in racing with a Superleggera lightweight body, including winning the Fox and Nicholl Trophy.
- 1987 →Acquisition unknownMartin Kölnbergerpartial documentation
Based in Aachen, Germany; re-registered the car in Germany and entered it in various European races and rallies.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Resident across Potters Bar, UK and Aachen, Germany; had the engine professionally rebuilt and holds current UK and German registration documents.
- Date unknownFirst UK owner (identity unknown)none documentation
Car was originally bodied by Vanden Plas and registered in the UK as 'GP 37'; the first owner's identity is not recorded.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAlex J Blackpartial documentation
Recorded as owner by 1938; no further detail on acquisition or tenure length provided.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownR Bernardpartial documentation
Resident of Villers-la-Ville, Belgium; one of two subsequent European custodians following Kölnberger.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownThomas Koerverpartial documentation
Based in Düsseldorf, Germany; the second of two European owners following Kölnberger.
Competition
- —Fox & Nicholl TrophyDriver: William Symons1st
Car ran in Superleggera lightweight bodywork during Symons's ownership from 1978 onward.
- —Le Mans
One of several European venues where the car competed from 1987 onward under subsequent ownership.
- —Targa Florio
Listed among European race and rally venues participated in from 1987 onward.
- —Montlhéry
Listed among European venues where the car competed from 1987 onward.
- —Coppa d'Italia
Listed among European events participated in from 1987 onward.
- —Nürburgring
Listed among European venues where the car competed from 1987 onward.
- —Silverstone
Listed among European venues where the car competed from 1987 onward.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007Engine rebuildLMB
The Meadows six-cylinder engine (no. 7482) was comprehensively overhauled to a fast road and racing standard, resulting in an output of approximately 180bhp and a claimed top speed of around 180km/h.
Work carried out in Wommelgem, Antwerp; invoices totalling approximately €50,000 are available.
- —Modification
A Superleggera-style lightweight aluminium body was fitted to the car, replacing the original Vanden Plas coachwork for competition use. Cycle wings were also added.
Work carried out during William Symons's ownership from 1978; original Vanden Plas fixed-head coupé body retained and comes with the car.
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