Description

The Crossley Regis 10/4 MC was a small and elegant British saloon car produced by Crossley Motors between 1934 and 1937. It was part of the broader Regis range, which represented Crossley’s final effort in producing private automobiles before shifting its attention to commercial vehicles and military contracts. The Regis 10/4 was aimed at the growing market for affordable, compact, and reliable family cars, blending modest performance with stylish design.

The designation “10/4” referred to the car’s 10 fiscal horsepower rating and its four-cylinder engine. The “MC” suffix is believed to indicate a particular mechanical or body variant, though records about this specific model are limited. Under the bonnet, the Regis 10/4 was powered by a 1,122 cc inline four-cylinder engine capable of producing around 34 brake horsepower. Power was delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission, which provided adequate performance for city driving and light touring.

The Regis marked a departure from some of Crossley’s earlier, more traditional cars by adopting a lower, longer profile. This was achieved through a double-dropped chassis and the use of smaller 16-inch wheels, a change from the 18-inch wheels used in previous models. This gave the car a more modern and streamlined look. The body styling was the work of C.F. Beauvais of Avon Motor Bodies, who contributed design features like a slanted radiator grille and two-tone paintwork, enhancing the car’s contemporary appeal.

Inside, the Regis 10/4 MC offered a surprisingly comfortable interior for its size, with seating for four passengers. Mechanical Bendix brakes were standard, and some versions came with a pre-selector gearbox—an advanced feature at the time that made gear changes smoother and easier. The build quality and level of equipment placed the Regis 10/4 among the better-finished cars in its class during the mid-1930s.

Production numbers for the Regis line were modest, with just over 1,000 cars built between 1934 and 1937 across all variants. The 10/4 MC was one of these versions, though the exact number produced of this specific type is not definitively known. Today, very few examples of the Crossley Regis 10/4 MC have survived, making it a rare and desirable vehicle for collectors interested in pre-war British motoring.

The Crossley Regis 10/4 MC represents a thoughtful blend of engineering, design, and innovation during a period of significant change in the British motor industry. It stands as one of the last passenger cars produced by a company better known for its commercial vehicles, and it offers a glimpse into a time when automakers were experimenting with modern aesthetics and new mechanical ideas.