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• Auction House:
  Theodore Bruce
• Sale Name:
  Motorclassica 2015
• Sale Date:
  24 Oct 2015 ~ 7pm
• Lot #:
  20
• Lot Description:
  A 1951 Hartnett 4-seater tourer
  Chassis number 11The Hartnett car was built by the Hartnett Motor Company Ltd. It was based on the French Gregoire light car with some parts being built under licence. Former GM-H Managing Director (Sir) Laurence Harnett established the firm to fill a perceived gap in the market for a small economical car. It utilised aluminium chassis castings to save weight and reduce costs. The front end of the roof, windscreen surround, upper dash and cowl is a single casting which bolts to the lower dash and chassis frame. A total of six sections bolt together to make the chassis. It was fitted with a two-cylinder horizontally opposed engine. Hard-top 'Tasman' and soft-top 'Pacific' body styles were offered. By 1950 a large number of Hartnett cars had been ordered but the contractor for the steel body panels, Commonwealth Engineering did not deliver the required panels forcing the Hartnett Company to build panels by hand and just 125 cars were actually completed. The Company went out of business in 1955. The cover of the Hartnett brochure stated that it was, Entirely new in automobile engineering and design. Sponsored by Australia for low-cost motoring", whilst the car badge featured the Southern Cross.This Hartnett is one of the rarest of cars. This very pretty little car offered, a 1951 Hartnett Pacific four-seater tourer, number 11 of the total 125 Hartnetts made, is believed to be the only Hartnett on the road today. Other examples, numbering just three, sit in museums, or perhaps await possible discovery. This highly collectable and unique piece of Australian automotive and post war social history is in impeccable condition having been painstakingly and lovingly looked after by the same family since it was bought new in 1951. Its 592cc air-cooled flat-twin engine runs like a charm and it has done only 17,115 miles since new. It is registered and has its original Victorian number plates which are to be sold with the car. It has appeared at various events including the Adelaide Classic Bay to Birdwood Rally, the 2001 Federation of Australia Car Rally, the Australian Formula One GP and most recently at the 2013 Motorclassica International Concours d'Elegance. The last Hartnett left on the road today."
• Estimate:
  A$50,000 - 55,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.