Lanchester Light Six

Lanchester Light Six

Four-light sports saloon 1935 example
Overview
Manufacturer The Daimler Company Limited
Also called BSA Light Six
Body and chassis
Body style Saloons and coupés
other styles to special order[1]
Layout FR layout
Related Lanchester Ten, BSA Ten
Powertrain
Engine 1378 cc[2]
Transmission Daimler fluid flywheel and Wilson four-speed preselective self-changing gearbox[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase (8'6½") 102.5 in (2,604 mm) and
track (4'0½") 48.5 in (1,232 mm)[1]
Kerb weight 22cwt
Chronology
Predecessor none
Successor Fourteen Roadrider
Lanchester Light Six engine
Overview
Manufacturer The Daimler Company Limited
Also called BSA Light Six
Combustion chamber
Configuration 6-cylinder in-line
Displacement 1378 cc[2]
Cylinder bore 57 mm (2.2 in)[1]
Piston stroke 90 mm (3.5 in)[1]
Cylinder block alloy Cast-iron with integral head, mounted on a two-piece aluminium crankcase[2]
Cylinder head alloy Integral head with block
Aluminium-alloy pistons[2]
Valvetrain ohv operated by pushrods from a chain-driven camshaft[2]
Combustion
Fuel system S.U. carburettor
Fuel type Petrol[2]
Oil system full pressure lubrication[2]
Cooling system water thermostatically controlled with pump and fan to radiator[2]
Output
Power output 34 bhp (25 kW; 34 PS) @3,600 rpm[2]
Tax rating 12.09 hp[1]

The Lanchester Light Six was a small luxury car in the twelve tax horsepower class manufactured for The Lanchester Motor Company Limited by BSA subsidiary The Daimler Company Limited. Announced in September 1934[1] it was the better-finished version of an almost identical pair the other half being the BSA Light Six

It followed the Lanchester 15/18 introduced three years earlier and Ten introduced in October 1932 as the third break away from previous Lanchester large cars.

This model was to become the Fourteen or Roadrider in 1937

Engine

The new engine design was on the same general lines as the Lanchester Eighteen (not 15/18) though with a chain-driven dynamo and a much reduced bore and stroke taking down the swept volume from 2,390 cubic centimetres (146 cu in) to 1,378 cubic centimetres (84 cu in)

Chassis

The larger twelve horsepower six-cylinder engine was mounted in the chassis of the ten horsepower four-cylinder Lanchester Ten. Steering was by cam and lever, brakes were mechanical. Tyres specified were 5 inch on 18 inch wheels.

Prices

six-light saloon and fixed head coupé £365
sports saloon and streamlined saloon £375
drophead coupé £390
Romney coupé by Martin Walter £430 (made to order)
Tickford coupé by Salmons & Sons £435 (made to order)
Rear view of six-light saloon
Rear view of four-light sports saloon

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Cars Of 1935.The Times, Friday, Sep 21, 1934; pg. 17; Issue 46865. (1334 words)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Specifications. The Times, Tuesday, Apr 02, 1935; pg. 65; Issue 47028.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lanchester Twelve.