The British Salmson
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Sir,
I was interested in Mr. Bird’s letter (Vintage Postbag, August) re: thermo-syphonic Jowetts and your comment re the 12/50 Alvis. I have had examples of both and presently awn yet another very efficiently thermo-syphon-sans-fan-cooled car, to wit a British Salmon S4C, which I have used quite a lot over the past couple of years. The radiator core had obviously had all the “treatments” in its time—latterly, mostly solder and/or chewing gum. Finally, one very hot day last summer, having had to fill up five times in 25 miles (even then it never actually “blew its top”!), I thought it time for some major surgery …. We replaced the core with an early-type David Brown Tractor core (Pax, VSCC!), at a fraction of the cost of a specialist rebuild. It fitted perfectly and is slightly deeper (fore and aft) than the original. Now, I doubt if “Sammy” would overheat in any circumstances, so long as there was a drop of water in his system.
Incidentally, I don’t remember seeing any mention of these fine cars in your excellent magazine for many, many years; perhaps I have missed the odd paragraph. Mine is the single-carburetter 12/55, with 4-seater o.h.c. body by Ranalagh. It will cruise all day between 50 and 60 m.p.h. and gives about 25 m.p.g. on 2-star petrol. It inspires great interest and curiosity in the general public (hardly anyone has seen one before) and great affection in myself. It is backed by extraordinarily good spares and technical advice facilities (via the BSOC) and I consider it a prime example of pour . . . “good quality economy cars with a charm and purpose of their own” . . . .
Betley R. H. Canter