About the Reavell Special

The project was conceived by Claude Vincent Reavell of Reavell’s Garage, East Horsley, Surrey, C. 1950. The car began its active life in 1935 as a 12HP Saloon. In 1949-50 it was severely damaged in a road accident on The Hogs Back, Guildford.

The car was stripped down, the chassis shortened by 19” and the engine and gearbox lowered 4”. All mechanics were rebuilt, the cylinder head planed down ⅛”, all ports gas flowed and a new exhaust manifold and system was made giving the car greater performance to go with its stylish new body. The body is aluminium on an ash frame and was constructed by Abbotts of Farnham.

There was much local interest and this led to the car being taken to Rover at Seagrove Road, Fulham for their perusal with a view to building a sports model.

Claude Reavell toured France, Spain, Italy, Austria, the former Yugoslavia and Greece between 1953-58. The total mileage in this guise is approximately 150,000.  The car was reported in The Autocar (August 1952) and mentioned in later editions of Classic & Sports Car

In 1959 the car was purchased by Don Langford.  Don had previously worked for Claude and carried out much of the servicing and maintenance of the car.  Don sadly passed away in 2011. The car remained in the family’s ownership until 2022 when it was donated to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and is now on permanent display at the British Motor Musuem, Gaydon, Warwickshire, England.

For more photographs visit: https://reavellspecialrover.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/photographs/