Cars Leyland Eight
The Leyland Eight was an attempt to create from scratch the best motor car in the world. The only car that was thought to hold comparison was the Rolls Royce. The project was stared in 1917 by Parry Thomas, with Reid Railton as his assistant. Referred to by the press as the "Lion of Olympia", the Leyland Eight made a sensation at the 1920 Motor Show. It was the first eight-cylinder-in-line British touring car to be produced. The chassis alone was priced at £2500.The engine was 6967c.c.when the car first appeared, but was subsequently increased in size to 7266c.c.Altogether 14 Leyland Eight cars were made. The first one to be completed was an open four-seater with disappearing hood. The rather square-shaped radiator was relieved by rounded edges, and a great number of fine louvres made the detachable bonnet-sides look most impressive. This was the car that Thomas used in his early competitions. Marlborough-Thomas
In 1923 J G Parry Thomas designed the Marlborough-Thomas for racing at Brooklands. The two seater streamlined body tapered uniformly from radiator cowl to tail and covered a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine (made by Peter Hooker Ltd of Walthamstow) of advanced design. Two or three were built. Leyland-Thomas
Built over the winter of 1923-24 the Leyland-Thomas was a development of the Leyland Eight. It was substantially altered mechanically and featured a new two seater body. Two were built. It was one of the most effective Brooklands Outer Circuit cars. Thomas special
A four-cylinder single-seater with a 1.8 litre engine. Body style similar to the larger Leyland-Thomas. Finished in light blue. Thomas special "flat-iron"
The "flat-iron" Thomas Specials were built for the 1926 season. Very low in design, hence the name, they featured a 1.5 straight eight with twin superchargers. Two cars were built. Entered the British GP in 1926 and 1927. Babs
In 1925 J G Parry Thomas purchased the 27 litre V12 Liberty aero-engined Higham Special from the estate of Count Zborowski. Parry Thomas carried out considerable mechanical modifications to the car and fitted a new single-seater body. The car made isolated appearances at Brooklands before heading to Pendine in April 1926 and an attempt on the Land Speed Record, which it managed setting 170.624mph. On 3rd March 1927 Parry Thomas made another Land Speed Record attempt at Pendine. During the run, Babs overturned and Thomas was killed.
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