Veteran to classic - Ralph E Sanders and Sons

David Brodie of Brodie Brittan Racing has sent us some old photographs found in the Hitchen garage which his partner, Ken Brittan, took over in 1932. They are very interesting, as depicting cars with bodies made by Ralph E Sanders & Sons, Coachbuilders, of Hitchen and Royston in Edwardian days, another coachbuilding concern for those who study such things. The cars photographed, with the usual coachbuilders’ plaque in front of them, are a small Daimler, a Napier, and what is probably a Lancia, all with handsome closed or landaulette bodywork. There is also a most imposing chain-drive 1911 40hp Cottin-Desgouttes, with a huge stowage box on its n/s running board. — WB