1935 - 1936 Squire Vanden Plas Sports Tourer - Images, Specifications and Information

Click here to download printer friendly version

Building your own sportscar is many automotive enthusiast's dream, Adrian Squire was just 21 years old when he set out to fulfill this dream. The young Englishman learned the ropes in his short spells at Bentley and MG. With the help of friends and backers, all his age, Squire constructed a thoroughly modern chassis, ready to adapt two and four seater bodies.

Although the chassis was of a traditional configuration, consisting of a steel frame suspended by beam axles all-round, it excelled in rigidity, when most chassis were still very flexible. The rigid chassis offered the designer the opportunity to fine tune the ride with the leaf springs and torsion dampers. Exceptionally large magnesium alloy drums took care of the braking.

Squire commissioned a suitable engine from the British/Italian Anzani company, best known for their aircraft engines. At Anzani Adrian Squire found the equally young and ambitious Douglas Ross, who was more than willing to put Adrian's ideas to metal. The Anzani twin-cam four cylinder engine was modified to accept a Roots-type blower as requested by Squire.

In February 1935 the first 'Squire' was constructed, the X101 prototype. With 110 bhp on the tap, a sharp steering and fine handling chassis, and a Wilson preselector gearbox, the new British sportscar was ready to take the best France and Italy had to offer. The expensive chassis was available in two wheelbases, for which Vanden Plas designed two and four seater bodies.

Unfortunately, the Squire story is short lived and after just seven examples were constructed, the 'factory' was forced to shut down due to financial difficulties. After the debacle Adrian Squire joined aircraft manufacturer Bristol, who had expressed an interest in constructing cars. Working in the factory, he was sadly killed in a 1940 bombing raid, aged just 30.

Of the seven examples produced, six are still around today. The car's weak point was the engine, but with a number of modifications carried through, the free-revving unit proved to be well ahead of its time. Although the Squire was not a success, it is today highly acclaimed by the few people that have driven it and considered one of the finest sportscar of its era by the few people who know it!

Featured is a short wheelbase body, fitted with a Vanden Plas Sports Tourer body. It is seen here at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it was awarded with the 'Best in class' award in the 'European Sports and Racing Prewar' class.