A Restoration Award is made to Stephen Prior of Midhurst, West Sussex for the restoration of a 1913 Armstrong Whitworth 17/25 touring car GU29 9JR.
Armstrong and Whitworth are arguably two of the greatest names in British transport and engineering history famed for ships, aircraft and locomotives, and the two names run through the 20th century in so many different areas. As Armstrong Whitworth they only made cars between 1907-15, and even then in fairly small numbers but 15 different models. Research has only tracked down 9 other survivors worldwide, and none are 17/25s like this one. There are only two other Armstrong Whitworths in the UK, both in museums. Most Armstrong Whitworths were bodied in-house but this one was bodied by Angus Sanderson. In 1960 the new owner found people who remembered the car in its early years and made a large history file. This car is a unique survivor of a great marque in transport history.
The project aim is the complete restoration of this unique vehicle. The car was partially stripped down in 1930 to make into a factory truck, but the conversion was never completed. It was salvaged from the factory for restoration in 1960. Over the next year, the new owner dismantled the car to its component parts at which point all work ceased. The car was purchased by the current owner in 2011, packed into tea chests and trunks. Fortunately it came with a set of drawings which have proved invaluable in trying to piece the car together.
The car is currently restored to a rolling chassis, and work is continuing on both the running gear and the bodywork, with most of the work being done by the owner himself. The gearbox is prsntly being professionally rebuilt.
This is a brave and determined restoration of a unique survivor of one of the great names of British transport history and the only example ever likely to be seen on the roads of the UK, and thoroughly deserves recognition by way of a Restoration Award.