Vision of excellence was too expensive

Oct 20 2008 Ian Johnson

Vision of excellence was too expensive

THE 1930s produced some stunning designs, but one of the most impressive by far was the now very rare Squire which was produced at Henley-on-Thames from 1934-1936.

Here was a car that had greatness written all over it.

Like many things, the Squire was the result of youthful enthusiasm.

Young Adrian Squire was obsessed with the idea of building his own sports car. He certainly had a good grounding in the industry, having served as an apprentice with Bentley and as a draughtsman with MG.

His idea must have been sound because he obtained backing from a wealthy school friend and so a workshop was born. On the scene comes an older car salesman and the team set to work.

The result was a stunner.

Not only did the sweeping lines leave sports car fans lost for words, but what was under the bonnet was quite exotic - a supercharged, double overhead cam 110bhp 1,496cc Anzani four-cylinder engine which was teamed to a preselector gearbox, putting 100mph easily in this car's sights.

With 15-inch hydraulic brakes in manganese alloy drums this was a very modern sports car for its day and was extremely desirable, being available in two chassis lengths and fitted with bodywork by Vanden Plas or Ranalah.

Here was a car that did not compromise over cost, but perfection slipped from its grasp. The highly stressed Anzani engine needed a high degree of maintenance, otherwise it became unreliable and the hydraulic brakes were so fierce, an emergency stop could shatter the spring shackles.

But it was the high price of £1,195 that was the final nail in the coffin for the Squire.

Even a cheaper skimpy body version could not save it and after seven cars were completed the Squire company wound up. However two further cars were completed privately after the firm went under.

Squire then rejoined his mentor W.O. Bentley at Lagonda and his life was tragically cut short at the age of 30 when he was victim of an air raid on Bristol.

I understand that six of the seven cars built under Squire survive, a tribute to a young man with a no-expense spared vision of excellence.