Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 1 Built
- Years
- 1938
- Engine
- Inline four-cylinder · 1,500 cc / 1.5 LFactory: 1.5 L
- Power
- 41 kW / 55.8 PSFactory: 55 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Major Ted Halford (concept); body by A. Crofts
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 1 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Airline Coupe was the only closed HRG, built in 1938 as a prototype and the only HRG with a Triumph engine; HRG built 241 cars in 1935-1956, all roadsters except this one.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionone Airline Coupe built (chassis WT-68), extant after restoration | 12,3 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionone-off Airline Coupe prototype, chassis WT-68 | 11 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
It was the idea of Major Ted Halford, the H in HRG. The frame came from the Halford-Cross Rotary Special race car, widened for the coupe body, and the car was shown at Brooklands in 1938. It sold at Gooding and Company, Amelia Island, in March 2013.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Airline Coupe.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Triumph2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Triumph 1,496 cc four-cylinder, as fitted to the Triumph Dolomite2 Independently researched |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline four-cylinder3 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 43 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 1,500 cc / 1.5 LFactory: 1.5 L4 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | OHV3 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Twin SU carburettors3 Independently researched |
| Power | 41 kW / 55.8 PSFactory: 55 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | 2,500 rpm3 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, with leaf springs3 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Semi-elliptical leaf springs with floating axle3 Independently researched |
| Brakes | 4-wheel mechanical drum brakes3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1938 H.R.G. 1500 Airline Coupe (Gooding and Company lot description) Level C
- 1 one-off Airline Coupe prototype, chassis WT-68
-
2
Rare 1938 HRG Airline Coupe dazzles Level C The Province / Canada.com (Nigel Matthews column) · 2012-06-27
- this is the only Airline Coupe ever built
- The engine is the 1496cc 55-horsepower Triumph engine
- the same one fitted into the Triumph Dolomite
-
3
1938 H.R.G. Airline Coupe (lot, chassis WT-68) Level C Gooding & Company
- Only Coupe Ever Produced by H.R.G.
- 1,496 CC OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
- Twin SU Carburetors
- 55 BHP at 2,500 RPM
- 4-Speed Manual Gearbox
- Front Independent Suspension with Leaf Springs
- Rear Semi-Elliptical Leaf-Spring Suspension with Floating Axle
- 4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
-
4
1938 H.R.G. 1500 Airline Coupe (Gooding and Company lot description) Level C Hahn and Woodward (quoting Gooding and Company)
- Powered by a 1.5 liter Triumph Gloria engine and gearbox
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