1928 Waldron Wayfarer Saloon
Coachwork by St Helen’s Carriage Works
Registration no. TF 3532
Chassis no. 101
Engine no. 101
The sole example of its kind ever made, this fascinating vehicle was constructed in Lancashire by Frederick ‘Fred’ Barnes Waldron, and described in detail in an article penned by Bonhams’ consultant Mike Worthington-Williams, published in The Automobile magazine (October 1984 issue). A chartered mechanical engineer and qualified architect, Waldron, who was also a director of the Pilkington Glass Company, eschewed the use of a proprietary engine, designing his own 1,247cc sidevalve four that was unusual in incorporating both bell-housing and gearbox into the main crankcase casting. The coachwork was constructed by James Smith’s St Helen’s Carriage Works, builders of commercial vehicle bodies, and on completion circa 1931, the Wayfarer embarked on a series of successful Continental proving runs, clocking up around 20,000 miles. Dismantled by Waldron in the late 1930s, by which time its styling had become somewhat dated, the Wayfarer was resurrected after his death in 1976 and restored by local enthusiast Peter Relph over the succeeding four-or-so years.
Since purchasing the Wayfarer in 1988, the vendor has used the car for summer motoring, mainly holidays and rallies, and reports that it has proven utterly reliable. Benefiting from a recently overhauled engine and transmission, the vehicle is offered with Automobile article, old-style log book and Swansea V5 registration document.
Saleroom notices
- There is no old-style log book offered with this lot.
