LOT 374

1932 Vale Special Two-seater Sports Coachwork by Vale Registration no. ALC 158 Chassis no. VS308

Estimate: £38,000 - £45,000

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Lot 374

1932 Vale Special Two-seater Sports

The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale: Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia|5 July 2019, 14:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1932 Vale Special Two-seater Sports
Coachwork by Vale
Registration no. ALC 158
Chassis no. VS308

*Monte Carlo Rally finisher in 1934
*Known ownership history
*Restored in the late 1990s
*Former 'Best in Show' at the London Classic Car Show, Alexandra Palace

Footnotes

The Vale Special took its name from the Maida Vale district of North London where the company was based. Its designer was the Hon. PE Pellow, later the 9th Viscount Exmouth. Introduced in 1932, the first Vale Special used an 832cc Triumph Super Seven engine, which was carried in a Rubery Owen-supplied chassis; later models were Coventry-Climax-powered. The marque lasted from 1932 until 1935. According to The Beaulieu Encyclopaedia of the Automobile, a little over 100 Vale Specials were made.

The car offered here is one of a believed five running examples still in existence. Chassis number '308' (making it the 8th Vale Special produced) was purchased new for the sum of £195 by one CBE Morgan and issued with the London registration number 'ALC 158'. In 1934 Mr Morgan entered the Vale in the Monte Carlo Rally and finished 75th out of 114 cars competing.

In 1958 a Mr Strelitz, then 18 years of age, purchased 'ALC 158' for the sum of £65. He undertook a restoration and used the car as a daily driver. With a wedding pending in 1963, Mr Strelitz regretfully sold the Vale to a Mr Fawcett of Rugby for the sum of £150.

At a chance meeting in 1997, Mr Strelitz began a conversation with marque expert Dave Cox, who informed him that he had just purchased 'ALC 158' from Mr Fawcett. It was fate, and Mr Strelitz was able to repurchase the Vale, reuniting him with his old friend. He duly undertook a detailed and painstaking restoration.

'ALC 158' has remained in Mr Strelitz's care for the past 22 years and is a many-time show winner, one of the highlights of its concours career being judged 'Best in Show' at the London Classic Car Show at Alexandra Palace. 'ALC 158' was also featured in Classic & Sports Car magazine and is also featured in the book Ave Atque Vale by Dave Cox.

'ALC 158' comes with extensive provenance including letters of correspondence from marque expert Dave Cox; The Triumph Register confirming its early Monte Carlo history; and delightful letters of correspondence from Motor Sport magazine, Coventry Climax Engines Ltd, and Derrington Ltd. There is also an original printing block depicting 'ALC 158'.
Offered with sundry bills, current MoT, and a V5C document, this is an exceptionally rare car with a wonderful provenance and in exceptional condition – quite possibly the best Vale in existence.

Saleroom notices

Please note, Mr Morgan owned two Vale Specials in 1934, he competed on the Monte Carlo Rally in the sister car VS318 not VS308.

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