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Melbourne Desk
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 07 March 2011 07:17
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Photos by Lucas and Bill Hunter
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Anne Thompson's (NZ) 4 cyl Darracq .
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The Darracq company was founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq. In the early years of automobile manufacture Darracq was prominent in
automobile design and manufacture. The company also built a 200 hp V8 Special that set a land speed record of 168.22 km/h in1904. and
again in 1905. at 176.46 km/h. In 1906 at Daytona,it reached 197.06 km/h.
The car shown here is clearly a 4 cylinder car. It was specifically here for the AGP and PI as a bonus. In fact Grant Campbell (VHRR) knows the lady
owner - Anne Thompson - quite well. She comes from NZ.
The car was the first ever to win a Grand Prix and Anne took Grant for a ride in it at the Australian Grand Prix. He describes it as "Quite an experience!"
It is definitely a 4 Cyl - 14400cc. A restoration.
Grant believe Anne has owned it for some time. She said she would have liked to stay for Historic Winton but the carnet didn't extend that far.
Grant Cowie - 1934 Frazer Nash
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Archie Frazer Nash had developed a chain-driven sports car
as early as 1924. It had a dog clutch, separate chains for
each of the three forward speeds driving a solid rear axle.
Quarter elliptic springs, and very highly-geared steering were
another inheritance from the 1924 car.
In its day, the Frazer Nash could "carry on all day at
40 m.p.h."- althoughin fact it could cruise between 60 and
65 m.p.h. Considering its fairly low price of £315, the
"Nash", though distinctly crude in places, with almost solid
suspension at low speeds, represented very good
value for money.
The chain drive and very smooth plate clutch gave an
exceptionally rapid gear change and the solid rear axle made
the car stable under the most difficult conditions, although
with some tendency on greasy surfaces to go straight on. The
steering was always of the highest quality, absolutely accurate
and devoid of play, rather heavy, and very high-geared (usually
less than one turn from lock to lock)
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The 1500 cc car displayed here is owned by Grant Cowie (Up the Creek Workshops)
Ah. Yes. There were some more familiar classics as well. Thanks for watching Motormarques !
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Last Updated on Sunday, 03 April 2011 08:43
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Melbourne Desk 
