After the first World War, Lanchester adopted a single model policy and the Forty was re-introduced with a 6.2-litre overhead-cam engine in unit with a 3-speed gearbox still using epicyclic gears and a worm-drive rear axle.

It was very expensive, dearer than a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and to maintain production a smaller car, the Twenty One joined the range in 1924.

This had a 3.1-litre, six-cylinder engine, now with removable cylinder head, mated to a four-speed conventional gearbox and four-wheel brakes.

It grew to the 3.3-litre Twenty Three in 1926.

The Forty was finally replaced in 1928 by the Thirty, George Lanchester’s last design with a 4446cc straight-8; only 126 were made before the economic depression effectively killed demand and the Lanchester Motor Company was finally sold to Daimler in 1930.

Interestingly, it is still a dormant company owned by Jaguar.

The delightful Lanchester 30, KJ 5595,on offer here dates from 1929 and is fitted with rather elegant, three-quart...