70 | THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE
The story of this S-Type Replica's construction began when Invicta
specialist Rob Pollock of Vintage Sports Cars tipped off the owner about
the availability of a derelict Invicta stored in a barn near Honiton, Devon.
After a process of negotiation with the owner, who had rescued the car
from a scrapyard in the 1960s, the vendor became the proud owner of a
1932 Invicta 1½-Litre (chassis number 'L40') in July 1999. The car was
trailered back to Rob's workshop at Lymington in the New Forest where
the initial evaluation of the project took place.
The car was in a sorry state, with little left of its original saloon body,
and had been fitted with a Standard 12 engine and gearbox. With it
was a 4½-litre Meadows marine engine; clearly, the previous owner had
contemplated building a 1½-Litre/4½-Litre Special, and it did not take
long to decide that this was indeed the best course of action. Fortunately,
the 1½-Litre (12/45hp) chassis has the same wheelbase and track
dimensions as the S-Type.
In light of his long experience of working on Invictas, Rob Pollock was
asked to carry out much of the basic work, which he always does to
the highest standards. It was estimated that the project might take a
couple of years to complete, but in the event it took more than five
times as long.
A process of dismantling was quickly completed, and a replica body
in Carbodies style was commissioned. The owner's initial task was to
source various missing parts. These included five Rudge-Whitworth
19" wheels, Rotax 10" headlamps, all correct instruments, SU HV5
carburettors, steering wheel, Marles L3 steering assembly, gearbox,
Bosch horns, bonnet catches, shock absorbers (both Luvax and André
Hartford), starter, dynamo, distributor, magneto, water pump, petrol
pumps, cycle wings, seats, correct sump, rocker cover, fan assembly,
and much more. Initially an Alvis all-synchromesh gearbox was sourced,
but later it was decided to use a Rolls Royce 20/25 'box. The wings
came from an Alvis, and Simon Parker did a superb job converting them
to fit, as well as other works including a new bonnet. The seats came
from an S-type in the USA.Meanwhile, it was decided to straighten and box-in the chassis. Keith
Roach made the necessary S-Type cross members, and an A-Type
bulkhead, which Rob had found at an auction, was converted to fit. A
complete new S-Type replica radiator, with increased water and cooling
capacity, was ordered together with new stronger half-shafts, new 52mm
hubs, and a new S-Type replica fuel tank. The engine was rebuilt by Rob
Pollock, using re-machined parts, new pistons, a new road/race camshaft,
and a new Åywheel. One of the most difficult tasks was getting the Rolls
Royce 2025 gearbox to fit on the engine. A conversion plate was needed,
and several attempts were made to adapt a Borg & Beck clutch.121
1932 INVICTA 4½-LITRE S-TYPE REPLICA
Registration no. WP 1 4
Chassis no. L40
- Genuine Invicta chassis
- Carbodies-style coachwork
- Built between 1999 and 2010
• Circa 750 miles since completion