Incredibly rare Derbyshire-made car returns home
An incredibly rare piece of Derbyshire’s car making history has made a return to the county.
Better known for the manufacture of Rolls-Royces and Toyotas, few people know that in the 1950s, Derbyshire was also home to the production of the now almost forgotten Paramount car.
And now, the fifth Paramount car ever made has gone on display at Great British Car Journey after being discovered at a classic car auction.
Richard Usher, founder and director of Great British Car Journey explained: “We consider ourselves experts in Brtish classic cars but even the Paramount was a mystery to the team here. We had no idea this car even existed. It wasn’t until we were alerted to its local history that we knew we had to have it and bring it home. The Paramount really is a forgotten piece of Derbyshire’s motoring heritage.”
Only 10 Paramount cars were manufactured at the factory in Swadlincote and all of them bear the registration PNU and were numbered 1 – 10. The original number plat of Great British Car Journey’s Paramount was PNU 04.
“We’d love to trace another of the Swadlincote Paramounts, but we think it’s highly unlikely any will be in existence which makes ours even more special,” said Richard.
Just 16 Paramounts were produced in Derbyshire; first at the Swadlincote factory and then later in Melbourne, until production moved to Buckinghamshire in 1953. In total, just 76 Paramount cars were made until 1956 when production ceased.
“Our brilliant team at Great British Car Journey have already got the car running and looking a lot smarter than when she arrived,” he added.
According to an advert from 1950, the beautiful red, four seater convertible Paramount was ‘designed to provide a sports car of exceptional beauty whilst retaining the distinctive British character favoured by most sports drivers.’
The Paramount boasts Triumph running gear underneath its all-aluminium bodywork which is stretched over a wooden ash frame mounted on a tubular metal chassis.
Richard added: “The car is beautifully made. It is testament to the skills of the craftsmen who made her, as the bodywork is full of complex curves.”
The Paramount now joins Great British Car Journey’s only other Derbyshire made car in the interactive exhibition – a Rolls-Royce once owned by Scouts founder Lord Baden Powell.
To see the car on display at Great British Car Journey, purchase discounted tickets and find details of opening times at https://greatbritishcarjourney.com/plan-your-visit/
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Working Parents Encouraged To Apply Now For 30 Hours Of Funded Childcare Working parents of babies and pre-school children are being encouraged to apply now for up to 30 hours of fu read more | |
| Working In Partnership To Support Derbyshire Residents Working together to support Derbyshire residents and strengthen communities was the clear message to come out of a meeting bet read more | |
| Heanor five-year-old wins £100 for school library A creative five-year-old from Heanor is celebrating after winning a charity competition to design a book cover with a Communi read more | |
| Trading Standards Warn Don't Fall Foul Of Rogue Roofers Trading standards are warning Derbyshire residents to be on their guard against rogue roofers after nearly half of the doorst read more | |
| Cromford Mills Awarded Major Grant from The National Heritage Lottery Fund The Arkwright Society is delighted to announce that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in vital de read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
