Pennsylvania Derby

I was fascinated by the article on the Gwynne 8 (Lost & found, April). It jogged my memory about a similar car that I photographed in 1973 at the Antique Automobile Club of America Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The car was called a Vernon Derby (above), and was also rated at 8hp in 1927.

Having done some research on it, the Derby was built in France, but with British capital and control – apparently an unusual state of affairs for the time. The little cars also did some racing, something many manufacturers did back then to prove their machines to the buying public. They were sold in England and were priced to compete with the Austin Seven in the early-to-mid 1920s.

At the same meet there was an MG M-type Midget from 1929, the first year of production. I’m really getting to like these little cars and am currently drawing up a scale HRG 1500 to build. Could a GN or Frazer Nash be far behind?

Tom Day Cincinnati, Ohio, USA