H. G. Hawker, airman: his life and work

by Muriel Hawker

CHAPTER XIV

BUILDING A 225 H.P. MOTOR-CAR

Harry Buys Two Aero Engines—And a Mercèdes Chassis—Structural and Starting Problems—Myself as Rivet-Driver—We Start the Engine—And I Stop It—On the Road—Shows Clean Heels to Big American Car—And Tows a Rolls—Harry in His Home Workshop.

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CHAPTER XIV

As soon as we had settled down at “Ennadale,” Hook, Surrey, and Harry had fitted up his own workshop adjoining the garage, he conceived the idea of building himself a real motor-car, and with this end in view he purchased two 225 h.p. Sunbeam aero engines (one for spares) and a 35 h.p. Mercèdes chassis.

At the time we had an enclosed Talbot, the gas-bag Grégoire, and a “sports” Ford, and Harry wanted to complete the “fleet” with a truly sporting car.

He dismantled the Mercèdes chassis and then began his task of putting the Sunbeam in the frame, no small undertaking single-handed.