Vale Special (1933)
1933 VALE SPECIAL...Black with Red trim, 1 of just 52 Vale Specials produced by the Vale Motor Co of Maida Vale And now believed to be just 1 of just 5 running examples in existence ! Chassis 308 (making this the 8th Vale Specials produced) was registered on 17th June 1933 and issued with the London registration number ALC 158. In 1958 an 18 year old East Ham resident John Strelitz purchased ALC 158 for the sum of £65 from his uncle and the Vale was used as Johns daily driver over the next 5 years. With the loss of his garage the Vale was regretfully sold to a Mr Fawcett of Rugby for the sum of £150. In late 1963 Mr Cedric Morgan (Owner of the Monte Carlo Rally, Lands End Trial entrant Vale Special AGX 173) purchased ALC 158. With the passing of Mr Morgan in 1976 the Vale passed to his Son Nigel who enjoyed ownership until selling to Vale expert David Cox in 1997. At a chance meeting at Olympia in 1997 Mr Strelitz began a conversation with Mr Cox who informed John that he had just purchased ALC 158 from Mr Fawcett, John was invited to the see the car and ended up buying it back ! It was fate and once again two old friends were reunited ! John duly undertook a detailed and painstaking restoration, Even the Art-Deco Brooklands badge was specially made for John by Julie Beinecke. ALC 158 has remained in the fastidious care of Mr Strelitz for the past 22 years and is a multi show winner, Winning Best In show at Alexandra Palace London Classic Car Show. ALC 158 is complete with a wonderful detailed provenance including lovely period photographs, period letters of correspondence from Motor Sport Magazine, Coventry Climax Engines Ltd, Derrington Ltd, Correspondence from past owners including marque expert Dave Cox and the Triumph owners Club confirming the cars history. ALC 158 has also been featured in many various newspaper and magazine articles including Classic Cars & Classic & Sportscar Magazine and is featured in David Cox’s definitive Vale book “Ave Atque Vale”, An exceptionally rare motorcar with a wonderful provenance and in exceptional condition – A very rare opportunity indeed.
