17-01-2024, 12:14 PM
(This post was last modified: 17-01-2024, 06:12 PM by Tony Griffiths.)
I agree with Parazine, who summed it up very well.
I reckon that one built from around mid-1928 to late 1929 has the right balance of useability, a cute vintage appearance with, among other desirable features, narrow 'blade' wings, a coil engine, 7-inch brakes, the larger R47 headlamps, and a slightly stronger chassis and body. From late '29 onwards interior space and body strength improved slightly - though to me the overall appearance did become a little lumpen. From mid-1930, and the introduction of the AF, appearance-wise things changed rather more dramatically: a tall, chrome-plated radiator, a short scuttle, and a long bonnet - though the coupled braking system was a welcome improvement. This version - and the following steel-bodied AG, ignoring those from late 1931 onwards - are the most prosaic of the "Chummy" breed but, don't worry, I'm not dismissing them, I have one - and love it.
Try to buy one that's in the hands of a sympathetic owner who has kept it in good, clean condition, can talk knowledgeably about its history, and has kept a logbook of repairs and maintenance. Unless you have deep pockets and/or endless time and the necessary skills to undertake a rebuild, don't buy one with a similar appearance to this:
I reckon that one built from around mid-1928 to late 1929 has the right balance of useability, a cute vintage appearance with, among other desirable features, narrow 'blade' wings, a coil engine, 7-inch brakes, the larger R47 headlamps, and a slightly stronger chassis and body. From late '29 onwards interior space and body strength improved slightly - though to me the overall appearance did become a little lumpen. From mid-1930, and the introduction of the AF, appearance-wise things changed rather more dramatically: a tall, chrome-plated radiator, a short scuttle, and a long bonnet - though the coupled braking system was a welcome improvement. This version - and the following steel-bodied AG, ignoring those from late 1931 onwards - are the most prosaic of the "Chummy" breed but, don't worry, I'm not dismissing them, I have one - and love it.
Try to buy one that's in the hands of a sympathetic owner who has kept it in good, clean condition, can talk knowledgeably about its history, and has kept a logbook of repairs and maintenance. Unless you have deep pockets and/or endless time and the necessary skills to undertake a rebuild, don't buy one with a similar appearance to this: