1935 Triumph Vitesse Flow Free

During the early 1930s, various carmakers around the world were simultaneously, but independently, experimenting with streamlined shapes for their future styling. Most of these subsequently turned out to be unattractive, selling very poorly as a result. Probably one of the most pleasing to the eye, at the time, was the Flow-Free Triumph designed by Walter Belgrove. Based on the 1935 6 cylinder Gloria chassis the relatively low stance was the first noticeable feature. The shallow divided ‘V’ windscreen had its centre line continued over the roof and down the tail where it terminated together with the roof edge and rear wing lines forming a pleasantly sloping rear end.
 

At £425 the Flow-Free was by far the most expensive model in Triumphs 1935 line-up, this together with the public not being ready for such a radical move forward in car design ensured that production failed to reach 50. By August 1935 Triumph no longer even listed the Flow-Free in its advertising and only one car is believed to survive today, owned by Rob Green in the UK. The 1935 flow-free saloon body was only available on the six cylinder chassis, all other Triumph body styles had the option of being supplied in four cylinder form (i.e., the shorter chassis). The extra length of the 2 litre was needed to accommodate the side mounted spare wheel. This particular flow-free body was initially mounted on a 1931 4½ litre Bentley and remained there until 1994 when it was removed and fitted to a very low mileage Triumph Gloria chassis.
 

Now, to the delight and probable amazement of early Triumph fans and model collectors alike, a 1:43 model of this very car has been produced by Brooklin in their ever more interesting Lansdowne range. First of all, to create a quality model of what is now a unique car takes courage which will inspire sufficient purchasers to make it viable, at the same time there is a need for commitment to research the subject well enough to make it acceptable. One look at the Light Straw coloured model should ensure the sales will follow, while a close study will illustrate that either the real car was visited and closely scrutinized or that many photographs were studied as the detail is both present in abundance and created with care. Dimensionally, the wheelbase, which is after all the most significant datum from which to scale the car, is dead-on. Overall length is just an inch or so over…but ignore the over riders (not apparent on contemporary photos of real cars) and it’s then almost as close. The wheels are quite good, painted red with cast ‘wires’, the ‘drums’ behind them shouldn’t completely blank out all the daylight however. As far as the shape goes, that distinctive rear end has been captured very nicely, all the sweeps and curves seeming come together in the right place. It would appear that the rechassised body kept the later radiator, featuring plated vertical slats, originally the Flow-Frees had black textured radiators within a plated surround. Brooklin have modeled the later grille but then blacked out all the inner area. The apron between the front wings seems too high and has concealed the lower part of the radiator as a result, emphasized by the slightly low mounting of the bumper. The whole front end looks a trifle bare due to the simplified construction leaving off the pairs of spot lights and horns carried by the real car. Similarly, the driver’s door mirror and aerial over the windscreen have also been omitted.

A centre rib has been neatly cast into the front wings, the left one accommodates a covered spare wheel with plated centre. The extra long wheelbase of 6 cylinder cars was partly to allow the fitting of then fashionable wing mounted spare wheels. Ribs are also featured on the sloping rear sections of the back wings, but are absent from all illustrations so far unearthed…but are assumed to be on the surviving example. There are a few bright parts other than the usual lights and bumpers, and these are door handles, twin fuel fillers, the bonnet centre hinge, ‘knockoff’ hub nuts, a ‘fish-tail’ exhaust tailpipe under the rear end and a pair of boot lid handles which must have replaced the original tiny covers to the carriage key locks on the surviving real example studied. The rear licence plate and its accompanying red lacquered ‘D’ lamps are neatly accommodated in a shaped recess low down in the tail.

The ‘wood’ effect full width dash is filled with the cast detail of various gauges while the flat fourspoke steering wheel is the same colour. Bright red seats are given pleated detail. The model currently retails at £50 in the UK and can be ordered through Percy at the Warrior Toy museum in Simonstown. Above is a picture of the only known surviving Vitesse 2 litre flow-free saloon Engine: Triumph 6 cyl 1991cc Year: 1938

TRIUMPH MODELS DUE FOR RELEASE IN 2003

Lansdowne Models 1949 Triumph 2000 Roadster due for release in Oct 2003 Model code: LDM37 Lledo 

Triumph Spitfire - Cheshire Constabulary - was released in Jan 2003 Model code VA06708 

Saloon Triumph 2000 Mk II in white - released in March 2003 Model code VA08203  

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