Invicta
NLC and A Type
Invicta
NLC and A Type
The NLC cars were introduced for 1929 and were generally similar to the earlier models with the same Meadows 4 ½ litre engine and type 8A gearbox, but were much more substantial in all respects.
The chassis frame was heavier at 6 inches by 2 inches, with wider springs and the axles much heavier, the rear axle was ENV with double taper roller bearings and ratios of 2.9, 3.6, 3.9 or 4.5
Wheelbase options were 10 feet, and 10 feet 6 inches with chassis weights ranging from 21cwt to 23cwt approx. Track was wider at 4 feet 8 inches and larger 14 inch diameter brakes were fitted together with 6.00 x 19 tyres.
The bulkhead was a more substantial casting carrying a 2 gallon petrol reserve and a 1 gallon oil reserve. The guarantee had by now been reduced to 12 months.
The Gauntlet for May 1938 says 53 were made.
In 1930, the repercussions of the Wall Street Crash called for price reductions and the A Type was introduced as a less expensive version of the NLC.
The full width dashboard of the latter with its lovely AT instruments was replaced with a more utilitarian version with Smiths instruments on a black centre panel. Bronze castings were replaced with cast iron, the solid nickel-silver radiator was replaced by a brass shell and other economies were made where possible.
The Meadows records indicate that about 320 4 ½ litre engines were supplied to Invicta and Beverley-Barnes who assembled the later cars (allowing for the 75 S types and 50 or so NLC cars plus a few late 4 ½ litre LC cars, it seems possible that nearly 200 A types were made. If so then the survival rate is sadly rather low)
