HRG - three letters - one fast automobile

Premium

HRG - three letters - one fast automobile

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on June 1, 1980

Text:

Michael Sedgwick

Photos:

Bonhams

3

Balz Schreier

3

Bruno von Rotz

2

Jochen Hätty

1

Archiv

13

22

HRG Twin Cam Roadster (1956) - offered as lot 340 at the Bonhams auction on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 27, 2014

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG (1949) - Betty Haig with Mrs. Brock at the hill climb on the Maloja in 1949

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1950) - on the French Alpine tour in 1950 with Shephard at the wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1946) - the low air resistance is already visible from the shape

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1948) - the aerodynamic model

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1949) - at the Geelsach rally in 1949

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1952) - the aerodynamic version for rally use

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1953) - with aerodynamic aluminum skin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter (1954) - Madame Piatti at the 1954 Evian-Mont-Blanc Rally, best time among the ladies

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 Liter (1950) - on rough road surfaces

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 liter sports car (1949) - Brock at the hill climb on the Maloja in 1949

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG Twin Cam Roadster (1956) - offered as lot 340 at the Bonhams auction on the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 27, 2014

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 Litre (1937) - at the Grossglockner Grand Prix 2012

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 Litre (1937) - at the Grossglockner Grand Prix 2012

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1500 (1939) - at the start of the GP Suisse 2012 in the category racing and sports cars up to 1945 (pre-war cars)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1500 (1939) - at the start of the GP Suisse 2012 in the category racing and sports cars up to 1945 (pre-war cars)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1500 Sports Two-Seater (1951) - offered by Bonhams at the Goodwood auction on June 29, 2012

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG 1.5 Litre (1937) - Pre-war legends at the 2012 ADAC Eifelrennen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

HRG Le Mans Lightweight 1947 to Le Mans Legend 2011

You have only

1 out of 22

images seen in high resolution

Summary

The HRG was never seen in Earls Court. Annual production only reached fifty units once, total production remained in triple figures, but was spread across a large number of different models, all of which were characterized by a large engine and low weight and therefore very competitive driving performance. This brand review goes back to the beginning of HRG's history and describes all the cars built in detail, supplemented by contemporary and more recent photographs of some of the vehicles.

This article contains the following chapters

Conservative design
The first prototype
Lots of engine and little weight
Three basic engines
Expensive, but very competitive
Awareness through sporting success
Le Mans category victory
Individual coupés
More aerodynamic with streamlined bodywork
Sales success and growth
Expansion and further sporting successes
Commercial failure
The sensational Hunter 75
Another attempt

Estimated reading time: 13min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When Englishman John Gott won the Alpine Cup and a class victory at the International Alpine Rally in 1951, spectators on the continent were amazed at his unusual car. The car had a conventional open two-seater body, 17-inch spoked wheels and a honeycomb radiator that sat about 15 cm behind the front axle. In this version, the car appeared to date from the early 1930s. Just how backward this car was was shown by the fact that even the conservative Morgan sports car had independently suspended front wheels. But people would probably have been even more surprised if they had been told that Mr. Gott's HRG was a car from current production. There was even an export version available with left-hand drive. However, the production statistics were never impressive: Apart from the aforementioned Alpine car, only eight other HRGs left the Tolworth workshops in 1951. The largest number had been reached in 1947 with 50 units.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: