Description

1989 Squire S-Type

One owner from new; convincing aluminium replica with two-litre Alfa engine; exciting and very pretty; Squire factory produced

Given that Adrian Squire only produced seven or so originals in 1935 and 1936, the impact that these beautiful cars have had on the motoring world is all the more remarkable.

By the time the exotic Anzani twin ohc 105bhp supercharged engine had been fitted to the beautiful chassis and sent for coachbuilding, the costs had racked up sufficiently to make the whole project unviable, with list prices higher than Bugatti and Aston Martin.

Several original Squires have been offered of late, with asking prices aproaching seven figures so even if you could locate one for sale, the chances of affording it are slim.

Fast forward to the late '80s when The Squire Sports Car Company was formed, producing a convincing replica based on their own chassis and fitted with an Alfa-Romeo two-litre twin-cam engine, closely mirroring the original.

Better still, the bodywork was produced in aluminium formed over a traditional ash frame and the wheels and tyres were of the correct proportions which set the car apart from the usual kit-built replicas.

The company registered them as Squires, so that is what shows on the V5C of this car, which was purchased new by our vendor back in 1989 complete with towbar, lockable compartment in the floor and wind deflectors.

The company by this time was supported by Warren Kennedy, whose son is better known as the leading Donald Healey restorer and the headed paper used for the purchase came from Vicarage, the Jaguar guys who acted as dealers.

The total bill for the build was just over £20,000, a sizeable sum for the time and delivery took place in mid-1989.

The car was used hard, as evidenced by its condition today, including a trip to Morocco. It was last MOTd in 2019 but had seen very little use in the years preceeding this and has done virtually nothing since.

The vendor runs a busy farm and one of his calves decided they liked the look of it, stepping on the aluminium running board with predictable results. The car was also rather poorly stored, so although running and driving, could do with a thorough recommission and cosmetic attention to the body and paint and chrome, although it does appear sound.

The large wheels, period tyres and accurate fascimile of the original coachwork ensure the car looks superb and given its quality construction, will amply reward some hard work from its new owner over the winter months. It has the makings of something quite special.

For more information - contact matthew.parkin@brightwells.com