1931 | HE 16/60 HP special

HE (Herbert Engineering) ‘Nelson’ V8 special, year 1931. Colour dark red (burgundy) over black combined with a beige leather interior and a black hood. Herbert Engineering is one of the many small pre-WW2 British car manufacturers who have been forgotten for many decades now. The H.E. firm closed shortly after the introduction of this model. H.E. motorcars are very, very rare so we are proud to present this very interesting special to you. The car comes with a documented history of 90 years! Most interesting is the fact that the second owner, a Mr. Nelson, exchanged the original six cylinder in-line engine for an American V8 power-plant in 1934! Not the first British car featuring an American 8-cylinder engine, that credit goes to the 1933 Railton Terraplane. But one of the first British cars (and specials) fitted with an American V8 engine! The engine is a 3.6 Litre Ford ‘flat head’ V8 which is mounted very low in the chassis! This chassis is already ‘underslung’ at the rear (axle mounted over the chassis). The final drive was also uprated with a higher ratio and the mechanical cable operated brakes were exchanged for a hydraulic system. Six years ago, the engine was fitted with new high compression cylinder heads and electronic ignition. Over the last five years the car has been serviced at Altena Classic Service, and much money was invested to bring and keep the car mechanically and technically up to date.  The owner has participated in great historic driving events like the 2022 Via Iberica and the 2023 Herzberger Trophy without any problems. This unique HE Nelson V8 special surely looks purposeful, the bonnet forms almost half of the length of the car! This is a very remarkable special with a wonderful vintage patina. The automobile is currently registered in the Netherlands and can be imported to and registered in any country.