Dave Hudson

Ok thanks Eddie, I'll let her know. In the meantime, i noticed the Tennents link on my previous post is not working (not sure why?), so I have copied the picture of the auction lot. The top right photo looks like the hollier, and most of the writing of the letter in the centre is readable when you zoom in. Don't know what the other stuff is about but the lot was specifically documents from Vincent Barningham's test drive of the hollier. Cheers, Dave

My mother-in-law happens to own a Vincent-Hollier (right-hand drive UK version of the Hollier 8), which she may be looking to sell in the near future. It was bought by her husband, an antique car enthusiast and mechanic, in around 1999 in good condition, and it was well cared for and driven on special occasions from then until his death in 2003. Since then, the car has remained in storage in a barn where it has remained basically untouched for 15 years, so would need some TLC to bring back to working order. We believe it was first registered in 1915 (DVLA records state it was manufactured in 1913, although the only info I have found states the car was only in production between 1915-21), and was apparently one of the first V8 engines produced in the US. We believe it was first sold to the governor of the Bank of Ireland by Barningham Ltd. of Regents Park, London back in 1915. I have found a vague reference to Vincent Barningham of Barningham Ltd. test driving the Hollier 8 (car no. 403) in 1915 (www.tennants.co.uk/Catalogue/Lots/196061.aspx), which would explain why the UK version was named ‘Vincent-Hollier’. I have only been able to view the image on the auctioneers website, but reading the text of the letter in the centre, it appears he took it for a very lengthy 2308 mile test drive, through rain and snow, using 162 Gal. of petrol for a fairly impressive 14.25mpg! Don’t really know any history beyond that, but it may well be the same car mentioned in previous posts (by ‘nzcarnerd’) that was restored in Ireland before being re-registered in the UK in 1997 by an antique car specialist. I understand it was also featured in ‘The Red Baron’ movie (1971) (http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_124240-Vincent-Hollier-Eight-1915.html), although there appear to be minor differences based on the hood ornament and certain other features, so I am unsure if it is the same car. Please let me know if you have any more questions or if you are interested in purchasing.