Lanchester Light Six

The Lanchester Light Six was a small luxury car in the twelve tax horsepower class manufactured for The Lanchester Motor Company Limited by BSA subsidiary The Daimler Company Limited. Announced in September 1934[1] it was the better-finished version of an almost identical pair the other half being the BSA Light Six

Lanchester Light Six
Four-light sports saloon 1935 example
Overview
Manufacturer	The Daimler Company Limited
Also called	BSA Light Six
Body and chassis
Body style	Saloons and coupés other styles to special order[1]
Layout	FR layout
Related	Lanchester Ten, BSA Ten
Powertrain
Engine	1,378 cc (84.1 cu in)[2]
Transmission	Daimler fluid flywheel and Wilson four-speed preselective self-changing gearbox[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	(8'6½") 102.5 in (2,604 mm) and track (4'0½") 48.5 in (1,232 mm)[1]
Kerb weight	22cwt
Chronology
Predecessor	none
Successor	Fourteen Roadrider

It followed the Lanchester 15/18 introduced three years earlier and Ten introduced in October 1932 as the third break away from previous Lanchester large cars.

Rear view of six-light saloon

Rear view of four-light sports saloon

This model was to become the Fourteen or Roadrider in 1937

Engine

Lanchester Light Six engine
Overview
Manufacturer	The Daimler Company Limited
Also called	BSA Light Six
Layout
Configuration	6-cylinder in-line
Displacement	1,378 cc (84.1 cu in)[2]
Cylinder bore	57 mm (2.2 in)[1]
Piston stroke	90 mm (3.5 in)[1]
Block material	Cast-iron with integral head, mounted on a two-piece aluminium crankcase[2]
Head material	Integral head with block Aluminium-alloy pistons[2]
Valvetrain	ohv operated by pushrods from a chain-driven camshaft[2]
Combustion
Fuel system	S.U. carburettor
Fuel type	Petrol[2]
Oil system	full pressure lubrication[2]
Cooling system	water thermostatically controlled with pump and fan to radiator[2]
Output
Power output	34 bhp (25 kW; 34 PS) @3,600 rpm[2] Tax rating 12.09 hp[1]

The new engine design was on the same general lines as the Lanchester Eighteen (not 15/18) though with a chain-driven dynamo and a much reduced bore and stroke taking down the swept volume from 2,390 cubic centimetres (146 cu in) to 1,378 cubic centimetres (84 cu in)

Chassis

The larger twelve horsepower six-cylinder engine was mounted in the chassis of the ten horsepower four-cylinder Lanchester Ten. Steering was by cam and lever, brakes were mechanical. Tyres specified were 5 inch on 18 inch wheels.

The most popular bodywork styles were the saloons. These were available as both 'six light' and 'four light' versions, the term 'light' here referring to the side windows. The six-light had a longer roofline with a third side window behind the rear door, the four-light sports saloon had a fixed head canvas body above the waistline.

Prices

• six-light saloon and fixed head coupé £365
• sports saloon and streamlined saloon £375
• drophead coupé £390
• Romney coupé by Martin Walter £430 (made to order)
• Tickford coupé by Salmons & Sons £435 (made to order)

References

1. Cars Of 1935.The Times, Friday, 21 September 1934; pg. 17; Issue 46865. (1334 words)
2. Specifications. The Times, Tuesday, 2 April 1935; pg. 65; Issue 47028.