Burney (make of car)

Transparency of a Burney 22/80 hp (1931)

Burney was a British car brand that was operated by Streamline Cars Ltd. from 1927 to 1936 . was made in Maidenhead, Berkshire . The company was founded by Sir Dennistoun Burney and exclusively manufactured streamlined vehicles with engines from various manufacturers. A prototype was based on an inverted Alvis - front-wheel drive chassis developed.

22/80 hp (1930-1931)

After a few test vehicles , the 22/80 hp was presented in 1930 as the first "series model".

technology

The eight-cylinder in-line engine with two overhead camshafts had a displacement of 3.0 l, was installed at the rear (see photo) and came from Beverley-Barnes . As was common in the aviation industry back then, all electrical cables were laid as flexible cables in copper pipes.

The car was equipped with fully hydraulic brakes and heating as standard. There were two coolers next to the engine.

Chassis and body

The chassis of the four-door sedan had a wheelbase of 3,785 mm. The interior with 7 seats was completely accommodated between the two axles and the engine was located behind the rear axle. The spare wheel was attached to the inside of a rear door; on the opposite door hung either a second spare wheel or a bar.

Typical were the short front overhang and the long rear overhang that accommodated the engine. To reduce air resistance, the underside of the frame was also clad with sheet metal. The designers attached particular importance to a large interior height.

Sale and whereabouts

Selling price was £ 1,500, just £ 350 less than a large Rolls-Royce . In late 1930, the Prince of Wales bought the fifth copy; the ninth and last copy went as an exhibit at the Detroit Car Show in early 1932 . None of the nine cars has survived to this day.

Driving behavior

The car ran very quietly and comfortably. However, from approx. 122 km / h, near the specified maximum speed, the clutch slipped, which was probably due to the high weight (1930 kg). The high engine weight behind the rear axle made it dangerously unstable when driving in rain and wind. The turning circle was 11.887 m.

Six and Eight (1932-1934)

In 1932 two new models appeared because the Beverley-Barnes engine had proven to be unreliable. The Six had an overhead six-cylinder in-line engine from Lycoming with 3.2 l displacement and a wheelbase of 3,708 mm, the Eight had a side-controlled eight-cylinder in-line engine from Armstrong-Siddeley with 4.4 l displacement and a wheelbase of 4,089 mm.

The end

When production was stopped in 1934, only twelve "series vehicles" were built, nine of which were 22/80 hp. The company finally closed its doors in 1936.

Burney's ideas were applied to other vehicles, e.g. B. Crossley's streamlined vehicle . In the factory halls of Streamline Cars Ltd. later the Marendaz and the GWK were made.

Technical specifications

	22/80 hp	Six	Eight
Construction period	1930-1931	1932-1934	1932-1934
cylinder	8 row	6 row	8 row
Displacement	2956 cc	3190 cc	4400 cc
power	80 bhp (59 kW)		85 bhp (62.5 kW)
at speed			3600 min −1
wheelbase	3784 mm	3708 mm	4089 mm
track	1524 mm	1524 mm	1524 mm
Vehicle length	5677 mm	5791 mm	6096 mm
Vehicle width	1727 mm	1828 mm	1828 mm
Vehicle weight	1930 kg	1880 kg	1930 kg

Web links

Commons : Burney  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

literature

• David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars. 1895-1975. New edition, reprint. Veloce Publishing plc., Dorchester 1999, ISBN 1-874105-93-6 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i} The Burney Streamline . Engine. February 19, 1972. pp. 1-3
2. ^ Hugo Gernsback: Streamline Car Carries Engine at Rear . Everyday Science and Machanics. November 1931. p. 663
3. ^ Telegram to the New York Times on January 4, 1932: Burney Will Display His Latest Auto Here . Inventor and Streamlined Car With Rear Engine Will Sail From England Tomorrow. This will be the ninth one built; the Prince of Wales bought the fifth one . New York Times. January 4, 1932