The name of Noel Macklin is writ large in the history of British sporting cars. Marques such as Eric-Campbell, Silver Hawk, Invicta, Railton and Fairmile all owe their very existence to Macklin. Back in the March 2013 issue of Vintage Roadcar we looked closely at a very delectable 1929 Invicta 4.5 Liter—a marque that could hold its head high against the likes of Bentley and would go on to win the 1931 Monte Carlo Rallye with a young Donald Healey at the wheel.
The first Invicta went on sale in 1925, fitted with a three-liter Meadows engine but it wasn’t long before this was increased to 4.5 liters. In this guise, the Invicta was exactly what Macklin was looking for as it not only provided the excellent roadholding and handling so desired in Europe, but also provided the power of the many American cars that he so admired. Macklin repeatedly stressed, during the early days of Invicta, that it should have the build quality of Rolls-Royce and performance equal to any Bentley.
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