Pre War

Description

This 1934 Alta 1100cc Supercharged open sports car (Chassis 21 S) was imported to Australia in 1937 by English racing driver Alan Sinclair. Shortly after arrival, he raced the Alta in the 100-mile South Australian Grand Prix at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills. Average lap speed over the 8 ¾ mile open road track was 80mph. This was the beginning of a significant pre-war racing history under the guidance of several drivers.

Whilst Sinclair’s performances were not outstanding, it is believed that he travelled to Australia with the car as a means of providing cover for his primary activity of working for the British Foreign Office as an MI6 agent. The tasking was to monitor the activity of suspected Nazi sympathisers in Australia who at that time were also engaged in local motorsport racing.

Alta cars were designed, manufactured and tested by company founder Geoffrey Taylor in his own works factory located in Surrey, England from 1929. Production numbers of the 1100cc model were extremely low, with approximately 13 made by the factory. It is believed that this example is one of five 1100cc Alta sports cars remaining in existence.

The Alta engine was particularly advanced for its time having an aluminium block, wet cylinder liners and shaft-driven twin overhead camshafts. Additionally, this example had the optional Alta Roots-type supercharger fitted to increase engine output to 100 bhp at 6000 rpm. The axles are positioned above the stiff chassis of the vehicle to lower the centre of gravity and improve handling during racing.

Under the more recent ownership and hands-on work of Graeme and Betty Lowe, the Alta underwent a 15 year restoration that was completed in 1999. This included new coachwork and refurbishment of the original engine and chassis.