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Topic starter
09/04/2023 8:34 pm
When I discovered Brooklin models several years ago, I also discovered the Lansdowne Series of models as well. Now, to be honest, as interesting as these were, my main focus has always been on American makes of the 30s to the 60s, and what Brooklin offered in those years has kept me very busy for some time. Now as an automotive enthusiast, my interests will frequently branch into other areas all the time. It is then that I discover some other hidden gems that I had previously overlooked. The Lansdowne Series of models fit into that category. I first looked at one and purchased it in 2017, a 1939 Lagonda LG45 Sedan, this interest came to me after seeing one at a local car show, it was an incredibly intriguing car, and the Lansdowne is an exact model of the one I saw. Later in that year and in early in 2018, the style of several European Ford models was very interesting, and several more from the Lansdowne Series were added to my collection. There have been a few others since, like the Bentley Embiricos models and a couple more. It wasn't until the middle of last year with the purchase of the Brooklin Models Collector's Guide for the Lansdowne models that I really became serious about what was offered. As an enthusiast (better to call myself that than crazy) I began a list of the most interesting and the hunt began.
In this post and subsequent series of photos, I will bring together my Lansdowne Series models that I have added to my eclectic collection of automotive marvels.
The 1st will be one I posted before, but this is an important model for me and one British styled car that has always been intriguing. Thanks to David Knight's excellent post a few months ago which prompted me to find one of my own.
1952 Morris Minor Series II 2dr Sedan - LDM 36
The 2nd featured today is another I've posted previously, but it must be included here as well. I chose this model because I was most interested by its "American Style". Now, I've never seen one of these in person, but I can certainly see them running around on the roads in the US, whether any ever did or not, I don't know.
1955 Hillman Californian Hardtop Coupe - LDM 107a
The 3rd in this post is another model that joined my collection recently. Once my list was assembled, I made some purchases and thanks to Jack Dodds, this was one of them. I found this model interesting for all the opposite reasons the Hillman intrigued me. This is such a very small car, and while we have very small cars in the US, they are far from the norm. The style looks like nothing seen on the American roadways then or even now. Now that's interesting.
1957 Wolseley 1500 Series 1 Saloon - LDM 71
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
09/04/2023 8:47 pm
John, just a little bit of information the Wolseley 1500 utilised the Morris Minor floorpan, suspension and steering.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
Topic starter
09/04/2023 8:54 pm
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Jack Dodds and John Kuvakas reacted
09/04/2023 9:38 pm
John, just a little bit of information the Wolseley 1500 utilised the Morris Minor floorpan, suspension and steering.
And it was the twin to the more sporting Riley 1.5 which had dual SU carburetters on the 1489cc engine (basically MGA spec) plus a tachometer, leather seating, wood fascia, and other upgrades. Lansdowne also made this Riley. Shown here in maroon with other Rileys.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
09/04/2023 9:54 pm
I thought that the '57 Riley was very similar, or even almost identical, as I've seen photos of it before. It's still on my list, I haven't started looking for one yet.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Jack Dodds and John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
10/04/2023 8:19 pm
The next entry in my Lansdowne Range is another small car. Now, other than the Metropolitan that was marketed by Nash and then American Motors, the small car just didn't exist in an American made sedan during the 50s. It wasn't until the 60s that a "smaller" car began to ride the American roadways with the Corvair, Falcon and the Valiant. Studebaker had the Lark and AMC had the Rambler in the late 50s, but even these were bigger than many European makes. Our culture at the time just wouldn't support these tiny cars, but things were going to change. The American car manufacturers weren't paying attention as soon as they should have and by the late 60s & early 70s, imported smaller cars were becoming very popular. The US manufacturers spent some time playing catch up. This is an old story, told and retold for many years, but here we are.
It is these little cars that have always intrigued me as well as the differences in the markets that spawned such a variety of cars made in each country across the globe. For this little car, I know that by the time it was marketed, Austin was part of the new British Motor Company and many of these cars that have interested me are basically badge engineered duplicates of one another. Hey, but that's what we've been doing here for years, so that's all good.
A very recent addition to my collection thanks to Jack Dodds.
1957 Austin A55 Cambridge MK I Saloon - LDM 82
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
10/04/2023 8:28 pm
And badge engineering reached its absolute zenith with the BMC 1100/1300 cars. Shown here in these mostly Vitesse items are the Austin, Morris, MG, Wolseley, Riley, Vanden Plas and Italian version, Innocenti.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
15/04/2023 9:36 pm
Today's entry includes two models, and they are almost identical in their style, but hey badge engineering is not uncommon with US manufacturers, they've been doing it for years. So, what little bit I've learned is these two car makers eventually became part of British Motors Corporation, which included MG, Austin, Morris, Wolseley & Riley. Now, I collected more info and included some of it in my database, but for these purposes, I'll keep it simple.
Now I really like the style of these two models, while I can't say they were heavily influenced by US designs, I see hints of that influence. I like the look of the '58 Riley a little more than the older Wolseley. The two-tone color treatment is very attractive. Now, I think at some point I might add some whitewall tires to the Riley, but that's my US blood thinking. Thoughts?
1954 Wolseley 6/90 Series I Saloon - LDM 60
1958 Riley 2.6 Sport Saloon - LDM 72
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
16/04/2023 8:59 am
Personally I prefer the blackwall tires on these two.
David Green and John Merritt reacted
16/04/2023 3:52 pm
The Riley 2.6 superseded the similar looking Pathfinder and but adopted the Austin based 2.6 liter OHV in line six cylinder engine as was used in the contemporary Wolseley 6-90 and the Austin Healey 100/6. The earlier Pathfinder used a four cylinder Riley based engine and due to some wonky Panhard rods in the rear suspension that caused erratic handling it was sometimes nicknamed the Ditch Finder.
Lovely Lansdowne models BTW.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
17/04/2023 8:00 pm
My next entry in this series is from Ford. A few years ago, it was an interest in European Ford cars that led me to a few Ford models both from the United Kingdom and from Australia. I picked a couple different Ford models from Lansdowne which included a 1954 Ford Zephyr Zodiac. Now let me tell you, that was one really ugly little box of a car, my opinion of course. For me, this falls into the category of "so ugly, it's cute". Anyway, since that 1st purchase in 2017 of the LDM 07c, which I believe was a new release at the time, I've added a couple others recently. The new round of these unique little cars began with LDM 124 1954 Ford Consul that I picked up from Jack Dodds, it has been modified by John Roberts and is in Winchester Blue (more on that one later on) and a few others which include today's featured model.
I came across this model on eBay and thought the color treatment was very unique. A 2-tone blue shade of a light Royal Blue & Sky Blue, a really nice combination. I don't know how accurate this color selection is as I couldn't find any photo examples of it. My info on this model is limited, it came in an old-style Lansdowne box with a label on one flap that indicates it started as a LDM 7x, 1953 Ford Zephyr Six Monte Carlo Winner. The other box flap has a label that lists it as a Crossway Models Ford Zephyr Six Saloon, RMR 646. Please forgive me, this little gem came with black wall tires, which sorry for the sacrilege, it screamed for a set of wide whites. Which I have promptly installed. LOL!
1953 Ford Zephyr Six MK I Saloon
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
17/04/2023 8:49 pm
I love these bread and butter grocery getters John.
Jack Dodds and John Merritt reacted
17/04/2023 10:40 pm
That is a magnificent and unique Zephyr, John. While I do prefer black walls on most British cars, I can live with this one even though I don’t remember ever seeing the full size car with them.
John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
17/04/2023 11:26 pm
I've never seen one of these, unfortunately. I did find a couple of photos in my searches that had the whitewalls, and I liked the look. In addition to this model, I also picked up another model labeled as a '54 Zephyr Zodiac, it was also made by Crossways, but the label on the box is different than the '53. I believe it is an older release, but I am unclear.
The model is in a solid black and it came to me with whitewall tires already installed. I am still working on the photos but here's a teaser shot.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
18/04/2023 3:52 am
Thanks John, I must admit that the black one does look impressive with white walls.
John Merritt and John Kuvakas reacted
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