1950s Paramount Roadster - the British classic car you've probably never heard of!
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- When you think of car manufacturers in Derby, Paramount wouldn’t be top of your list, but for a brief moment in history these cars were made in Derbyshire. Which is funnily enough, where we’re testing this today at the Great British Car Journey.
Now with this car being largely unknown, I thought I’d give you some insight into how the cars came to exist.
Paramount Motors was the the creation of two men: Sam Underwood and Bill Hudson, an ex police inspector. Both men were car obsessed and had met whilst working for a Vauxhall dealership after the Second World War.
With Bill being the sales manager and Sam being the mechanic, they felt they had the winning formula to create a car brand of their own and so, in 1947, they said goodbye to their jobs at Vauxhall and opened Paramount Motors on the High street of Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
We’ve discussed it previously, but after the Second World War, the UK had a policy whereby car manufacturers had to export a high volume of their cars or they’d have no access to the steel they needed to make the cars; the steel industry being government regulated at the time.
With rationing still firmly in place, cars in short supply and glamour both scarcer still; the motoring duo decided they wanted to build on their shared love of MGs and Jaguars and build a luxury car of similar ilk to appeal to not only the UK market but the bigger market in the US - where car sales were much more abundant.
And that brings us to 1950, where the Burton Daily Mail ran a piece in its paper on January 11th 1950 with the two men standing alongside their new roadster creation outside nearby fancy location, Bretby Hall.
However, despite the initial enthusiasm of the pair,
Lack of funds and poor financial foresight seems to be a running theme with Paramount. the grand initial plans to fit an Alvis engine pinched from an Alvis 14 were soon overtaken by cost concerns and this meant the plans had to change: gone were the initial Alvis engine and suspension and in its place were a Ford 1172cc side valve engine rigged up with twin carbs.
It was side valve powered car which was debuted to the world in that January 1950 press piece.
The Paramount car as you see here today, was designed with an underslung ladder frame chassis with independent front suspension by top wishbones and a low transverse leaf spring, a live rear axle on semi-elliptical springs and then finished with Girling Hydro-mechanical brakes.
The body was made from aluminium panels on an ash frame - which may not surprise you given the low volume of surplus steel knocking about.
However, this roaring start of a grand new design debuted outside a grand location didn’t lead to the success the motor-mad pair had hoped for. The company sold around 10 cars, this one included, from their Swadlincote base before the assets of Paramount motors were sold in 1951. The buyers, Meynell motors also based in Derbyshire, made some changes to the car and produced a further 12.
Sadly, this didn’t give the car the Midas touch it needed and the company went under a mere 12 months after acquiring the assets from Sam and Bill.
Undeterred by the failings of the first two companies to handle the development and running of Paramount motors, the assets were then acquired by Paramount Cars of Leighton Buzzard. The company replaced the early side valve engine with the nipper 1500 engine from the Consul, but this and a hard top made the car so expensive it outpriced the Consul it had borrowed the engine from!
By 1956 the party was over and the company came to close, with 26 cars in stock and not a single buyer to show for them.
Across the entire lifespan of the company, it is estimated there were between 70 and 80 cars made. There are figures ranging from 72 to 78 - but all in all - an utter financial failing for a design which could’ve been so much more in the right set of hands.
Thanks Steph. Never heard of Paramount. Enjoyed your show 😊. Looks a bit like a Jowett Jupiter if you squint 😂
God no. The Jupiter stole my heart, this was just a ‘nice enough car’.
@@idriveaclassic 😂 I did say 'squint'.... 😂
A poor man's XK150 with a Bristol steering wheel?
For a while there was a bar in Swadlincote called the Paramount (former New Empire cinema ) and they had history and pictures of the cars on the wall.
Wow! What a shame it has gone
As a teen with an obsession with old cars, I often fell asleep with the light on while poring over Georgano's Automobile Encyclopedia, which was a masterwork of its day (I still have two copies). My favorite entries were cars that were handsome failures, and this video checks the "Paramount" box. Great find, Steph!
Thanks for being brave and showing this wonderful rare car.
I expect it didn’t appeal to that many people as the Jowett had better lines overall and the lack of a parking brake would deter any potential buyers who lived on a hill.
Wow, a real rarity. I've heard the name but never seen one outside of a book. Good stuff.
I'd never heard of the Paramount until I picked up a 1955 edition of 'The Observers Book of Automobiles at a boot sale about 35 years ago, imagine my surprise when I saw it was 'powered' by a wheezy 1172 cc Ford sidevalve lump! Nice video Steph.
looks a bit like a cross between a Jowett Jupiter and a Daimler Conquest roadster
At first glance, it is similar to the Sunbeam Talbot as well.
But somehow not as pretty as either...
Thank you for showing this!! Bill Hudson was my great grandad and photos of the production warehouse (among other things) was passed down to me! Would love to see one in person 🤩
I work on that site and I see all the cars drive and that is one cool car
I only know about the Paramount because I was at the Great British Car Journey yesterday where I saw it !
So pleased to hear it is out!
Having checked google and seen a restored one, they're actually a really nice car. I hope this gets the treatment because I think opinions will change if it does, at the moment, it's a bit manky at best. I also see the Jowett Jupiter styling cues in it's looks, sorry Steph!!
In the words of Monty Python " and now for something completely different "! Always a surprise and never a dull moment with Steph! 😁
Hmm......looks like someone tried to copy the look of an XK120, but that 'someone' didn't have William Lyons sense of proportion and style. I'm not surprised it failed.
Automotive failures are always far more interesting than success stories, that car cost around 2 years average salary at the time (4 for women). Hard sell at that price.
Great video, Steph. It was nice of the museum to issue you the invitation to drive this rare vehicle. Well done to founders Sam and Bill for successfully realizing their dream of building their own car, I'm glad some still survive.
Top marks for finding a car made in Derbyshire (my county by the way) but unfortunately it looks like a car made in Derbyshire … cobbled together in somebody’s shed! 1950s car buyers were apparently quite discerning - they kept walking past the Paramount! It looks like it belongs in Last Of The Summer Wine, with a name like the Loxley Lozenge, and Edie saying “Have you been moving these pedals around again Wesley?”
Very special review Thanks
... as supplied by Arthur Daley ! Made me Smile anyway.
Yeah, a Jag/MG wannabe. Horrible fit and finish, really. Oh, well. Great historic side note. Thank you for sharing.
The invention of glass fibre led every car nerd to think they can launch their own make.
Except this is not glass fibre, much as it looks like it. Steph said it is aluminium panels on an ash frame. There is a dent in the driver's door, which means that panel is definitely metal.
I think you would have definitely needed a handbrake for parking in Derbyshire...
A lovely car that maybe will never see the open road again.
Perhaps not, but better to see her in a museum than just forgotten in an old shed.
Fascinating car & excellent video.... Possibly the best use of a Triumph 1500 engine too. I'm a Derbyshire chap and several times older car owner had never heard of it.... Well done Richard and the team at GBCJ for getting it👍
I love that special old car, & I love you for showing it to all of us!. Many thanks. 🤠🍻👍🏻❤️
Steph, you`ve driven some very nice machines, but this is not one of them. In that thing, I fear for your safety.
I think there was also the Marauder based on a Rover 75? love these oddballs,my favourite is the RochdaleOlympic.
I first came across this car when I bought a second hand copy of the 1956 Observer's Book of Automobiles. It's listed as having the Ford 1172cc engine giving 31 bhp and having a top speed of 74 mph. It weighed in at 18 and a half cwt. If they used the Ford 3-speed gearbox I dread to think what it was like going up any kind of hill!. However, I do really like it and look forward to seeing it when it has been fully restored. Thanks Steph. By the way the book lists a 1956 Allard which is a similar kind of car but has a 5.4 litre Cadillac V8. Perhaps you could feature one of these in a future episode.
I can see why it failed. The car lacks design appeal as compared to the other British car of the time.
The old car needs love ♥️😁
Thanks. I very much enjoyed your excellent video of this extraordinary classic from Derbyshire.
Would i believe that only 10 units were made…certainly would
Great video once again, thank you. I like how the central dash instrumentation would work in N.American LHD cars as well as RHD, no big changes (if any) needed. The original duo were thinking ahead. What a rare classic!
It’s great isn’t it! Shame it didn’t succeed.
It's obviously rare for a self -evident reason.
Is this possible ? Jewel that I have never heard of before, indeed !
Amazing!
A kind of mock up for a Jowett Jupiter or an Alvis TB21, except they were quite decent cars ...
Steph you always look perfect
It’s looking a bit rough from the front and needs some TLC. The grille in particular is crying out for a major restoration.
It’s stated in the video it had just arrived and we were looking at prior to any major works.
You're perfectly correct Steph I have ever heard of these cars but it looks cool. Another interesting video
This story sounds like the Mickey Roonie Judy Garland stock line "Hey kids, let's put on a show!” but there was no Hollywood studio production system behind them.
A great review of a car very few people have ever heard of let alone seen one the Paramount now l know that thèy are around the UK and you showed everything under the bonnet in the boot the interior and the exterior l do enjoy your reviews Steph
Jag XK120ish but less harmonious in its lines.
Any chance we could see these unusual wiper patterns in action? Chances of seeing this in the flesh are virtually nil. Hopefully Hubnut hasnt got the copyright on wiper clips!
I would’ve loved to have, but they weren’t working :(
Looks like a mash up of a Sunbeam Talbot and a JAG 120.
The logo looks "borrowed" from Aston Martin or Bentley.
Cool car !
Steph, it would be great if you could test-drive it again after it's restored. I'd love to watch it!
I can't say I have heard of this car but it does have hints of the Jaguar XK series. There were a lot of manufacturers around as you say but it seems they fell at the first hurdle by putting an 1172 side valve Ford engine in what appears to be a sports car! What a shame but it does show that even if you are 'car mad' you might not be good at making cars. Good review Steph so glad it wasn't raining! 👍👍
I worked on a conversion project at Windsor central ( G.B. ) railway station in 1982 at which time there was a black Paramount for sale on someone's drive nearby . I think it was priced at £800 is that one still around ? Best Wishes , Martin.
She’s got a cracking wee personality I think. What a pity nobody business savvy got involved early on.
Somebody had a few tins of GPO red paint and a couple of old brushes for the paint job. Looks like another sad kit car trying to be a sad kit car
would have been a gutless slug with that 1172 Sidevalve engine even with twin carbs. Notice it had instruments from the Standard Vanguard.
I don't remember hearing of this one, but from the twenties through to the sixties there were many of these small production cars, guys who thought they had that something special, but the cars rarely survived. Better off without the Ford 1172, I have never worked out what they do to produce so little power from so much fuel.
I love Idrivea! A fan from Italy
I remember seeing one of these in a 1953 movie called "Genevieve". Same color red.
Good video Steph I love your channel for the variety of vehicles you show & drive ❤ nice dress ♥️♥️
That was some snowfall.
Elle est dans son jus et on voit qu'elle n'a pas été restauré.
Oui. C’est vrai.
Fantastic video again Steph very interesting motor. Have you ever tried the Lotus Sunbeam?
Nothing like analogue motoring. Keep uploading the videos I look forward to watching them😃👍
A very nice looking car, but what it really needed was a 6 cylinder engine to go with those gorgeous looks.
Worthy of a ground up restoration..the guard mounted mirrors are NOT period
Oddly enough...I''m struck by the centre of the steering wheel. It remains upright and doesn't turn with the wheel itself. Gonna have to look for that "fearue" next time I watch one of your fabulous videos. Aloha!
Quite a thing then so when Citroen rediscovered it in the 2000s it was new all over again!
The switch at the top of the hub is the indicators and as it was an off the shelf design you often come across it on Steph's test subjects.
@@davidperrott5743 Ah...thank you for the clarification. That makes perfect sense. I've driven antiques...being an antique myself...that had the spark advance in a position similar to those turn indicators. Noticing Steph didn't manipulated those controls, I guess it would be something like that.
Brilliant again Steph
I think it’s pretty obvious why this car was not a success.
wow what a truely wonderful car and it is a real shame that they never got the finace to build more and with the motor and transmission that they had wanted in the first place but a great car non the less.
👍👍👍
Doors look a bit like Austin Atlantic.
love your reviews but find the great British car journey reviews a bit frustrating in that you can only drive around the small industrial estate never getting out of third gear.
Needs must though. In some cases it's Great British Car Journey or nothing.
I would have thought that goes without saying. Not a slight on Steph, Ian from Hubnut and all the rest who film reviews there and would want to take the cars out on the open road as much as me.
Nice video of a car I had never heard of!
Cool hat!! 👍👍 Cheers!
As nomel brilliant video. I am sat in oil can cafe watching
Would you elaborate please, I'm curious to know what you mean.
That car is just horrendous! And I am saying that as someone who likes weird cars, likes and build specials and I can appreciate the novelty of it. But that thing is just absolutely terrible. It looks like a car built by Noddy after a 3 day bender on LSD. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly novel about it, it looks bad, the fit and finish is absolutely atrocious. It would be interesting to know if that one is particularly bad and the others are better? Was this one 'restored' by someone who didn't have a clue? What happened to the grille? How can it have no handbrake? That makes no sense! Definitely an interesting film though so thanks for probably risking life and limb driving it!
I have driven far worse, this isn’t a major one for me 😂
no surprise that it didn't outsell the Consul at those prices 😂
@@idriveaclassic You're a brave woman and I appreciate your willingness to try anything! Certainly an interesting car, I wonder if yours if the only UA-cam film of it?
@asciimation I think it is!
It appears to be a mixture of shabby unrestored and partly restored with homemade bits.
The styling is also a mixture, being mostly XK120-ish but with a front end that would look more at home on a typical saloon of the era.
The windsreen really reminds me of Jaguar xk cars . It is great to see such a car and in the period of time that car came from some great classic cars came from
What a beautiful car you don’t need a great click bait, just a picture of this beautiful car, and thank you for taking the time to share this with us
I agree, although the rear wheel arches do appear out of character to the overall curvaceous lines. Many thanks for posting.
Got a cool shape & style for a "kit car" concept, spunky little 1600-2000cc or electric - would make a hot looking retro Ole school, roadster, sports, a mix of Jag, MG & Delahaye.
Classic early 50's handmade will have cost a fortune ,it's quite pretty for the time and ahead of the game in 1950.
Another great episode. Never heard of Paramount cars, looks very nice though.
It’s great to show you all something different.
Paramount is a new one to me, and looking them up a decent looking car when sorted.
Hello that was fantastic , it would a great car to do a clean up and a little bit of work, for me it would be a shame to do a full restoration . A very rare interesting car. Here is one for you Steph have you heard of The Snark ? its was a MGA with a V8 and then later a V6 its the car Carroll Shelby took the the plans and built the first Cobra as far as I know the law case went on for years . I have seen the car at some shows in Victoria BC Canada I may even have some photos somewhere . There is a lot to this story and there is a short video on UA-cam The Snark at the 2011 British Car Show, Fort Rodd Hill, Victoria, BC if you would like anymore info let me know and I will see what I can do . Thanks for the video.
I had the chance of buying one of these in the 70s . Sadly the guy wanted a hundred pounds for it and at that time I couldn't afford it !! I remember it had the side valve Ford engine in it . Lovely looking car .
What an original and very rare find. It needs to be preserved for history, so I'm hoping she is driven as well as displayed. A nice colour too.
I had not known about that car until Christmas 1983 when I got hold of the book British Cars of the Early Fifties published by the Olyslager Auto Library. I also have subsequent into about the car in other car books that I have collected in the last four decades. Looks almost similar to the Jaguar XK 120 from a distance, some might even mistake it for either an XK120 or XK140 drophead.
A not very attractive body, average mechanicals and a basic interior. Did they really think the Americans would buy this?
Lovely video, as ever. I’m intrigued by the lack of a hand brake. Unless I’m missing the obvious, how do you stop it from rolling down hills?!
Leave it in gear?
A 'parking brake' doesn't need to be hand operated. I have seen (and used) a operated parking brake, (on a cadillac circa-late 70' s for instance)
@@UnbiasedlistenerYou mean foot operated? My Mercedes C Class had one. Pulling the lever to release it made a loud and alarming clunk which I never quite got used to.
Foot operated parking brakes were very common in North American cars for decades. In 72 we got a Dodge Dart and that was the first car I could remember without a foot operated parking brake.
I thought this was a either a Sunbeam Talbott or a jowett Jupiter.
You're right - never heard of it! Looks like they took a mould from a Jaguar and then much hammering in a shed of assorted materials! Not the last British car to cost more to produce than the ticket price. Cheers
I knew of Paramount in the 1950’s but don’t remember having seen one. Good to see the video on this super rare car.
I did not know of this car. Awesome video.
Is that an XK 120 windscreen that the Paramount is sporting? Great video. Have never heard of this car.
I'd never heard of that one either. The story is interesting: evidently, knowing the market and being able to sell don't necessarily imply the skills needed to design and build a car!
I rather like this car. None kit, none glass, a car of substance, motor when driving sounds alot like more modern technology, say from the 60s. Thanks Steph.
That's actually correct. I've never heard of it!
A new one on me, I've never heard of them. I'm loving the fixed steering wheel boss and what looks like an advance/retard switch or a choke? Have to admire the spirit of the two men who decided they were going to build a car and just did it! The odds were stacked against them but they showed great initiative. Great vid!
The switch on the top of the steering wheel boss is for the indicators.
So interesting to meet 'her' in a 'found' state. And it will also be a fascinating contrast to revisit when she has been fettled. Thanks Steph!
I think she’s going safely indoors!
@@idriveaclassic But hopefully you'll get to drive her when finished?
@glennmckenzie1096 maybe! My diary is pretty stacked
@@idriveaclassic Of course - Rustable! Pity I'm on the wrong side of the world or I'd be there in a heart beat.
Looking at I cant help thinking the body shape has been influenced by Jaguar.
Gorgeous car 😊👍
Isn’t it just!
Great looking carx
Longhood porsche next please 🙏🏻
It's lovely ❤
I suppose it would have been competing with the Healeys' and MGs'. Rakish design. Very much of the time.
Interesting, I knew about the Paramount, but had never seen a video. A poor design, why not simply copy a Cisitalia, Fiat, Alfa Romeo or Lancia? And a side-valve Ford engine, a disaster! Back in the 1960 I had a ride in a Jowett Jupiter, that was a better design.
Full marks for focus on a truly ordinary and doomed carmaker . Well done for putting spotlight on the obscure and even unloved. The 1172 Prefect engine might have been OK in a featherweight Lotus 7, but in this lump it could only have been a dreary drive 70 years ago. A Spitfire motor and box (even with a blow) would be worlds apart from the original.
Yah matching outfit.
Now we need to get a white top to match Stef's hat.
Looks like a Jag XK got a facial from a Riley, lol.
Wretched fit and finish, curious if that's a factory issue of something the owners did to it. Looks like it got more Bondo, fiberglass , paint and lord knows what than metal bodywork.
The wet intake manifold looks like the carbs are leaking fuel, owner better have a fire extinguisher handy, probably needs carb rebuilt or replaced. May also be leaking if it has an aftermarket electric fuel pump that doesn't have a fuel regulator attached, which ca also cause carb to flood .Breather hose on back end of the head looks pinched shut and could be causing the valve cover to leak. This car looks like a total bodge and I would not be running it at all until the engine issues are fixed
.Its quite a project.
Really interesting video, Steff. Wonderful to see such a rare and unusual car. For once i don't feel left out because I had not heard of a specific car. I am certain that once properly sorted it would look much better. Im betting that adding a parking brake would be an easy mod if someone was restoring one to use every so often. Other companies must have used the same or similar Girling braking system. All in all a superb video, brilliantly presented as always.