HRG

HRG (HRG Engineering Company Ltd) was a British car manufacturer based in Tolworth, Surrey, and founded by E.A. Halford, Guy Robins and Henry Ronald Godfrey in 1936. It took its name from the first letter of their surnames.

The cars were intended to continue the traditions of Frazer Nash, H.R. Godfrey, along with Archibald Frazer Nash, having founded and run the GN cyclecar company from 1910 to 1922. An HRG cost £395 (about half the cost of the 1.5-litre Aston Martin) and weighed almost 1000 pounds (450 kg) less.

Car production ended in 1956 after 241 cars had been made, although the company remained in business. In 1965, they made an experimental Vauxhall VX 4/90 powered sports car. The company ceased trading in 1966, and made a profit until the end.

The cars are commonly called "Hurgs" by owners and enthusiasts.

Racing

The factory's racing team, Ecurie Lapin Blanc, achieved several notable successes.

In the 1938 Le Mans 24-hour race. [cite news|url=http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060904/FREE/60824004/1027/FREE|title=1956 HRG 1500 Roadster - A Winning Survivor|work=AutoWeek] 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. [http://www.thoroughbred-cars.com/cars/UK/HRG/HRG%20le%20Mans.htm "1949 HRG Le Mans Lightweight", "Thoroughbred Cars"] . Retrieved on July 26 2008.] Innovative at the time, radio communication is common in racing today.

The team prize again went to HRG at Spa the 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".

HRG Association

There is a thriving owners club called the HRG Association. Of the 241 cars made, it is estimated that 225 survive and many of the cars are still in active use. Some are still active in competition: three regularly compete in classic trials, [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrG7NQFLfnk "Exeter 2007 Wooston Steep", "YouTube"] . Retrieved on July 26 2008.] [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXecBAm2HU0 "HRG at Fingle Bridge 2", "YouTube"] . Retrieved on July 26 2008.] and a 1938 Le Mans model can be seen at various historic race and speed events.

Models

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/model/419/model.aspx Conceptcarz: HRG models]
* [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060904/FREE/60824004/1027/FREE AutoWeek: 1956 HRG 1500 Roadster - A Winning Survivor]
* [http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=461 British Motor Manufacturers 1894-1960, HRG]
* [http://www.motorbase.com/manufacturer/by-id/45/ Motorbase: HRG]