1926 VAUXHALL CIRRUS SPECIAL

INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF BROOKLANDS WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO CREATE AN AERO ENGINE PRE-WAR CAR!

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DURING THE prewar years in England, the Brooklands circuit was seen as the epicentre of racing. In terms of motoring credentials, Brooklands was it.

Over 100 years ago in 1907 the 2.8-mile banked circuit was the first dedicated racetrack built in the UK, and a possible 287,000 spectators could witness the greatest racing available. It was vast and built for speed.

Over time it witnessed arguably some of the greatest race cars ever produced and certainly piloted by some of the bravest drivers imaginable.

Between 1907 and '39, Brooklands was the crucible for a grand celebration of all things motorised but came to a permanent halt with the advent of WW II.

Prior to this, however, the First World War interrupted racing at Brooklands for six years and the circuit reopened in 1920. In the search for even greater speeds cars saw the marriage of surplus aero engines no longer in use from military aircraft.

Over time, more extreme cars emerged including the famous Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang with a 23-litre aero engine from a WWI Gotha bomber in a Mercedes chassis; 'The Viper' was a V8 Hispano-Suiza aero engine in a Napier; and Mephistopheles was a FIAT fitted with a 21.7-litre aero engine. At a time when the national speed limit was 20mph, these cars were attaining 120mph for long periods of time. It must have seemed otherworldly to see firsthand.

At a time when man was still pushing the frontiers the achievements at Brooklands achieved worldwide notoriety.

Our Aero Engine Car

The owner of this Vauxhall Cirrus Special is a seasoned restorer of vintage cars and has been around them for over 65 years. Inspired by the spirit of Brooklands he always wanted to 'scratch an itch' and create an aero engine prewar car.