Topic: Solved - MJW #637 - Halford Cross-Rotary Special 1937

[woodinsight]

What was the name of this single seater?
What engine did it use?
What eventually happened to it?

[woodinsight]

Up a level

[woodinsight]

Pros.....

[Allan L]

Looks as if it should be an HRG but I can't place it.

[woodinsight]

Looks as if it should be an HRG but I can't place it.

It wasn't called an HRG but it was based on that car.
The engine was unusual if that helps with a small clue.

[Allan L]

Any engine with exhausts that have to come out of the bonnet-top is unusual in my book. I can only think of the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto Delage and that has the exhaust on the left anyway!

[woodinsight]

Any engine with exhausts that have to come out of the bonnet-top is unusual in my book. I can only think of the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto Delage and that has the exhaust on the left anyway!

I believe the engine wasn't very successful and was replaced by a more conventional unit.

[barrett]

Is it an aero engine?

[woodinsight]

Not aero-engined

[barrett]

So, perhaps a diesel?

[woodinsight]

So, perhaps a diesel?

Not diesel either.....

[woodinsight]

Time for a clue perhaps?
The name of this car is made up from four words - they begin with H,C,R,S, and the car is dated in the 1930s.

[woodinsight]

The man behind the car (the 'H' in the name)

[neilshouse]

I can't find a picture of it but I'm thinking this must be the Halford-Cross Rotary Special.

It had an engine featuring rotary valves, the valve gear consisted of a cylinder with 2 cut outs that rotated, the slots allowed gasses in and out of the engine rather like a rotating sleeve valve.

The car has now been rebuilt as a coupe road car using the rear section of an MG Airline coupe body. It is fitted with a Triumph engine.

I'd love to know more about this car and engine.

[Allan L]

Cross was one of the many attempts to replace the poppet valve. Like most of them, as they relied on cylinder loads for sealing the rotary element, it was normally seen on single cylinder engines like this one:

[woodinsight]

I can't find a picture of it but I'm thinking this must be the Halford-Cross Rotary Special.

It had an engine featuring rotary valves, the valve gear consisted of a cylinder with 2 cut outs that rotated, the slots allowed gasses in and out of the engine rather like a rotating sleeve valve.

The car has now been rebuilt as a coupe road car using the rear section of an MG Airline coupe body. It is fitted with a Triumph engine.

I'd love to know more about this car and engine.

It's exactly that!
Perhaps Allan has answered your query regarding the engine.
The following article may answer your other questions.....

[neilshouse]

Thank you Allan and Woodinsight, fascinating stuff.