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UK V5
See UK Registration/Import Status Guide in catalogue.

Founded in 1931, Squire Motors was the inspired and ambitious creation of 21-year-old Adrian Squire. Renowned for its impressive speed, nimble handling, outstanding braking, and startling fuel economy, the Squire – sold with a 100 mph guarantee – rivaled its contemporary Bugatti and Alfa Romeo models.

The sixth Squire built, chassis 1052 was the only lightweight, short-chassis Squire made. Known around the Squire workshops as “Skimpy,” it was originally fitted with the elemental, cycle-fender body by Markham that it retains today. Desirable features of this lightweight model include a particularly low chassis with an underslung rear axle.

Chassis 1052 was entered by Squire in the 1936 R.A.C. Rally and driven by John Boyd-Harvey to 2nd in Class against a packed field of competitors. According to Jonathan Wood’s definitive book on the marque, around this time the original engine (no. 1041) was replaced with engine 106, which was formerly fitted to the Squire single-seater owned by Luis Fontes. This engine is still fitted to chassis 1052, and various ancillary components retain 1041 stampings.

During the firm’s receivership in 1937, this 1 1/2 Litre was part of the package of remaining Squire cars and parts acquired by V.E. “Val” Zethrin in a deal which also allowed use of the existing manufacturing facilities. In April 1937, chassis 1052 was sold by Mr. Zethrin to Matthew Drummond Henderson Wilson of Kilmarnock, Scotland, a sports car owner-enthusiast who was president of the Caledonian Car Club. Soon after his purchase, Mr. Wilson entered the Squire into the June 1937 Blackpool Rally and the Scottish Automobile Club Coronation Rally.

Mr. Wilson sold the Squire in 1940 and it was acquired by Richard Thompson of Wick, Scotland, via a London Squire specialist dealer. Under Mr. Thompson’s ownership, 1052 was the subject of a July 1942 letter to Autocar magazine, with the Squire stated to have accumulated about 42,000 miles and still delivering excellent performance, requiring only some repairs to the hand-beaten lightweight aluminum body.

In July 1949, the Lightweight was sold by Mr. Thompson to fellow Squire owner Geoffrey Monro, who would retain it until 1963, before selling it to North London garage owner Albert George “Bert” Smith. During his ownership, Mr. Smith regularly drove the Squire on the road and in Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) events for the next decade, including a race meeting at Oulton Park in June 1964. Restoration of 1052 commenced in 1966 with the body repainted dark blue and the supercharged Anzani engine rebuilt. Roy Palmer acquired the Squire in 1985, and under his care it was restored to its early form with select improvements in the interest of enhanced reliability and performance, including valve train advice from noted American restorer Phil Reilly & Company.

Having completed the 1936 R.A.C. Rally, VSCC events, and two editions of the 1000 Miglia Storica, this 1 1/2 Litre Supercharged Lightweight has amassed the longest and most successful sporting career of the few Squires built. Fittingly, it remains true to its maker’s inspired vision and with its performance, driveability, and extreme rarity, it offers an appealing entry for some of the most selective and prestigious automotive events across the globe.