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
| Consultation drop-in events for Derbyshire County Council care services. Consultation drop-in events have been arranged so the public can give their views on the shape of Derbyshire read more | |
| Appeal after fatal motorcycle near Belper Police were called to reports of a motorcyclist having sustained serious injuries following a one vehicle collision in Wirksworth Road, nea read more | |
| It's going to be paw-some! Dick Whittington announced as 2025 panto The award-winning team behind Derby's smash-hit pantomimes will be back for 2025 with the spectacular Dick Whitti read more | |
| Three Schools To Share £3.2M To Create More Special Needs School Places Three schools are to receive a share of more than £3 million approved today by Derbyshire County Counc read more | |
| DLRAA Receives Donation from Chesterfield Fire Station Christmas Craft Fair Raffle Donation On Thursday 5th December 2024 Louise Soppitt on behalf of Derbyshire Fire Service donate read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| 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 | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
| Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley Mobile networks are being improved in Ripley boosting the speed, performance and coverage of mobile services in the area. read more | |
