HRG Engineering Company
Encyclopedia
HRG Engineering Company also known as HRG, was a British
car manufacturer based in Tolworth
, Surrey
. Founded in 1936 by Major
Edward Halford, Guy Robins and Henry Ronald Godfrey
, it took its name from the first letter of their surname
s.
, Ron Godfrey approached Major Edward Halford in 1935 as regards the development of a new sports car. Having shown the prototype in late 1935, the company was formed in 1936 with Guy Robins formerly of Trojan
joining as the third partner.
Taking space at the premises of the Mid-Surrey Gear Company in Hampden Road, Norbiton
, the cars were heavily influenced in their design by Godfrey's previous involvement with both the GN company and subsequently Frazer Nash.
The first Meadows-engined HRG cost £395, about half the cost of the 1.5-litre Aston Martin
, and weighed almost 1000 pounds (450 kg) less.
In 1938 the Company announced the 1100cc model using an OHC engine from Singer Motors Ltd. and then in 1939 they also started using the OHC 1500cc Singer engine in place of the old OHV Meadows unit.
Post-war, the 1100 and 1500 2-seaters continued being made to the same pre-war design. HRG also commenced manufacturing the Aerodynamic model on basically the same vintage chassis.
Guy Robins left the company in 1950 and sports car production ended in 1956 after 241 cars had been made, although the company remained in business as an engineering concern and as a development organisation for others, including Volvo
. In 1965, they made a prototype Vauxhall VX 4/90-powered sports car. The company ceased trading in 1966, making a profit
until the end.
The factory's racing team, Ecurie Lapin Blanc, achieved several notable successes.
In the 1938 Le Mans 24-hour race
. the works entry driven by Peter Clark and Marcus Chambers was the highest-placed British car (10th out of 15 finishers from 42 starters). The following year
Clark and Chambers returned to win the 1.5 litre class.
In 1947 Chambers took 3rd place in the Grand Prix des Frontières
at Chimay, and HRG won the team prize in the Isle of Man Empire Trophy race.
In 1948 Chambers was 4th at Chimay, and HRG won the team prize in the Spa 24 hour race, where team leader Peter Clark had the cars equipped with two-way radios for communication between the drivers and the pits. Innovative at the time, radio communication is common in racing today.
The team prize again went to HRG at Spa the following year. Also in 1949, the 1.5 litre class at Le Mans
was won for the second time by an HRG, driven on this occasion by Eric Thompson
and Jack Fairman
.
Proving that HRGs were still competitive 59 years later, a three-car team won the 2006 Vintage Sports Car Club 2-hour team relay race at Donington Park
. They raced as "Ecurie Lapin Blanc".
Some are competing in classic trials
, others compete in VSCC races with success.
The cars are commonly called "Hurgs" by their owners, and have an owners organisation in the HRG Association.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
car manufacturer based in Tolworth
Tolworth
Tolworth is a mostly residential area of outer South London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, located south west of Charing Cross. Neighbouring places include: New Malden, Kingston, Surbiton, Berrylands, Chessington, Ewell and Worcester Park....
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. Founded in 1936 by Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Edward Halford, Guy Robins and Henry Ronald Godfrey
Henry Ronald Godfrey
Henry Ronald Godfrey , was an early English motor car design engineer.Born near London, he met Archibald Frazer-Nash at technical college, to produce the GN cycle car...
, it took its name from the first letter of their surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
s.
History
Having raced together at BrooklandsBrooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
, Ron Godfrey approached Major Edward Halford in 1935 as regards the development of a new sports car. Having shown the prototype in late 1935, the company was formed in 1936 with Guy Robins formerly of Trojan
Trojan (automobile)
Trojan was a British automobile manufacturer. Cars with the Trojan marque were made from 1914 and 1974.-Early history:The company was founded by Leslie Hayward Hounsfield who went into business as a general engineer in a small workshop called the Polygon Engineering Works in Clapham, South London...
joining as the third partner.
Taking space at the premises of the Mid-Surrey Gear Company in Hampden Road, Norbiton
Norbiton
Norbiton is a place in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London. It lies approximately east of Kingston upon Thames's town centre, and from Charing Cross. Its main landmarks include Kingston Hospital and Kingsmeadow football stadium, which is currently used for the home matches of both...
, the cars were heavily influenced in their design by Godfrey's previous involvement with both the GN company and subsequently Frazer Nash.
The first Meadows-engined HRG cost £395, about half the cost of the 1.5-litre Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
, and weighed almost 1000 pounds (450 kg) less.
In 1938 the Company announced the 1100cc model using an OHC engine from Singer Motors Ltd. and then in 1939 they also started using the OHC 1500cc Singer engine in place of the old OHV Meadows unit.
Post-war, the 1100 and 1500 2-seaters continued being made to the same pre-war design. HRG also commenced manufacturing the Aerodynamic model on basically the same vintage chassis.
Guy Robins left the company in 1950 and sports car production ended in 1956 after 241 cars had been made, although the company remained in business as an engineering concern and as a development organisation for others, including Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
. In 1965, they made a prototype Vauxhall VX 4/90-powered sports car. The company ceased trading in 1966, making a profit
Profit (accounting)
In accounting, profit can be considered to be the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market whatever it is that is accounted as an enterprise in terms of the component costs of delivered goods and/or services and any operating or other expenses.-Definition:There are...
until the end.
Racing
In the 1938 Le Mans 24-hour race
1938 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1938 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 15th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 17 and 18 1938.-Official results:-Did Not Finish:-Statistics:* Fastest Lap - #19 Raymond Sommer - 5:13.8* Distance - 3180.94 km...
. the works entry driven by Peter Clark and Marcus Chambers was the highest-placed British car (10th out of 15 finishers from 42 starters). The following year
1939 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 16th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 17 and 18 1939.The following year's 24 Hours of Le Mans was originally planned for June 1940, but due to the invasion of France in May the race was called off...
Clark and Chambers returned to win the 1.5 litre class.
In 1947 Chambers took 3rd place in the Grand Prix des Frontières
Grand Prix des Frontières
The Grand Prix des Frontières was a motor race held at Chimay in Belgium. The race was created by Jules Buisseret, who was also responsible for the circuit's existence...
at Chimay, and HRG won the team prize in the Isle of Man Empire Trophy race.
In 1948 Chambers was 4th at Chimay, and HRG won the team prize in the Spa 24 hour race, where team leader Peter Clark had the cars equipped with two-way radios for communication between the drivers and the pits. Innovative at the time, radio communication is common in racing today.
The team prize again went to HRG at Spa the following year. Also in 1949, the 1.5 litre class at Le Mans
1949 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 17th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 25 and 26 1949.This was the first race held following the end of World War II...
was won for the second time by an HRG, driven on this occasion by Eric Thompson
Eric Thompson
Eric Norman Thompson was an English actor, producer and television presenter.Thompson was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, the son of George Henry and Anne Thompson, and grew up Rudgwick, Sussex, attending Collyer's School, Horsham...
and Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman
Jack Fairman was a British racing driver from England. He participated in 13 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 18 July 1953...
.
Proving that HRGs were still competitive 59 years later, a three-car team won the 2006 Vintage Sports Car Club 2-hour team relay race at Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
. They raced as "Ecurie Lapin Blanc".
The cars today
Of the 241 cars made, it is estimated that 225 survive. Many of the cars are still in active use, with a few in active competition.Some are competing in classic trials
Classic Trials
Classic Trials are one of the oldest forms of motor sport, dating from the beginning of the 20th century. In those days, the challenge was just to make a long road journey. The three Motor Cycling Club long distance trials in the UK – the Lands End, the Exeter and the Edinburgh – date...
, others compete in VSCC races with success.
The cars are commonly called "Hurgs" by their owners, and have an owners organisation in the HRG Association.
Factory Models
| Main Types | Engine | Production | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1½ Litre | 1497 cc Meadows Henry Meadows Henry Meadows of Wolverhampton, England were major suppliers of engines and transmissions, to the smaller companies in the British motor industry... 4ED 12 hp |
26 | 1935-39 |
| Le Mans Model (semi-racing) | 1½ Litre (1100 cc option, none sold) | 1 | 1938 |
| "1100" | 1074 cc Singer Singer (car) Singer was an automobile company founded in 1905 in Coventry, England. It was acquired by the Rootes Group of the United Kingdom in 1956, who continued the brand until 1970... 9 hp (10 hp option) |
49 | 1938-50 |
| "1500" | 1496 cc Singer Singer (car) Singer was an automobile company founded in 1905 in Coventry, England. It was acquired by the Rootes Group of the United Kingdom in 1956, who continued the brand until 1970... 12 hp |
111 | 1939-56 |
| Aerodynamic | 1496 cc Singer Singer (car) Singer was an automobile company founded in 1905 in Coventry, England. It was acquired by the Rootes Group of the United Kingdom in 1956, who continued the brand until 1970... 12 hp |
45 | 1945-49 |
| Twin Cam | HRG developed DOHC 1497 cc Singer Singer (car) Singer was an automobile company founded in 1905 in Coventry, England. It was acquired by the Rootes Group of the United Kingdom in 1956, who continued the brand until 1970... |
4 | 1955-56 |