Friends' Gallery Picture of the Month - February 2021

[Renaud]

Do you think that maybe where Austin got the idea of cowled radiators when they introduced the Ruby, Pearl and Opal models.  Like all others have said lovely picture.
Are we sure the photo was taken in the 1930s  That front number plate looks to me like 40s or 50s.

John Mason.

Agreed and too large to fit between the dummy irons!

[JonE]

Beautiful! That plate - it makes one want to get a grinder to the edges of it so it WILL fit in. What a ludicrous thing to do.
I don't think it is cast - look at the irregularity of the letters, they are individual bolt on surely? They could have happily been added to the cowl.

[Hedd_Jones]

You could buy either a pressed steel blank back plate, or a cast ali one. To which you fitted individial cast numbers. 

This is the latter with a nice wide border. But as you say the letters have been fitted on the wonk!. 

Certain suppliers will sell you the components to make such a plate, even today. Notice not a serif in sight!

And yes, its taken in the 1930's that hat dates it.

[Martin Prior]

We currently have a rather sadder looking 1930 Swallow in the workshop.  The biggest challenge is to replace the tail, cut off in the early 'sixties.  The second and third photos show it temporarily assembled with panels kindly lent to us for reference by Ruairidh Dunford and Gary Edwards.

Some serious technology is being used in this restoration.

[Bob Culver]

Was there ever anything more ludicrous than those dummy chassis extensions? Some Model T dress ups had the same, but there was a stronger motive for disguise.

[Ivor Hawkins]

Was there ever anything more ludicrous than those dummy chassis extensions? Some Model T dress ups had the same, but there was a stronger motive for disguise.

Probably not Bob but in my view they compliment the beautifully.

[Tony Press]

Excellent work so far Martin- needs proper 19 3.50 s to look right.

The first picture big number plate possibly off an earlier large car- very out of place.

The family fit would be a bit squeezy 

[Tony Griffiths]

What colours were available?

[Bill Sheehan]

Tony - if you think that's squeezy, you should have been on the 1992 Euro Tour (7 Countries, plus we did 7 UK Counties that trip). There was a couple in a Swallow saloon on the Tour plus their offspring in convoy with another Seven (from memory a special). When the latter broke down and was placed on a trailer, the young couple hopped into the Swallow. Contents then - 4 people plus two lots of Camping tents & gear, utensils, food etc. Now that WAS sqeezy. We felt sorry for them as they struggled slowly up the mountains, being passed by everyone - including a man on a bicycle at one climb. But they made it to the finish - good on them. Cheers, Bill in Oz

[Tony Press]

What colours were available?

Don't know the range but from pictures:
 
Cream body with maroon guards seems popular, cream body with dark green guards and dark green body with cream guards.