EPW008678 ENGLAND (1923). Fir Tree Road, Banstead, 1923

Banstead House (not to be confused with Banstead Hall, which stood a few hundred yards to the north and is out of shot in this photo). Now demolished. Built circa 1860s using crunch chalk from the railway cuttings of the new Epsom Downs line and faced with brick. It seems to have initially shared an owner with Basing House and Banstead Hall, the other two big houses between Bolters Lane and the Brighton Road which were built at approximately the same time; the original owner was probably Charles Garrett, one of the railway contractors who was building the new line.

Crossley 19.6hp coupe. First produced in 1920 with the 3.8 litre 19.6hp designed by TD Wishart who had taken over from Reeves and Wood and was to remain with Crossley until the end of car production. A new feature was a detachable cylinder head on the engine which like all previous models had 4 cylinders. The Motor in 1921 quoted a top gear range of 4 to 64 mph on their test and were very complimentary about its hill climbing abilities. "Light steering, easy gear-changing and comfortable seating" were also noted. In those days acceleration was not tested but fuel consumption was better than 20mpg. It cost £835 for the chassis on which the buyer could specify his own coachwork. Complete cars were also available in a wide range of styles as was usual in small production quality cars of the time. From 1923 4 wheel brakes were available as an option. In 1922 one was supplied to the Prince of Wales. The engine was also used in several variants including Kegresse half tracks and six wheelers. One six wheeler was supplied to King George V with a shooting brake body, the chassis is believed to have come from a Crossley commercial or military vehicle and another went to the coachbuilders Barkers who fitted a mobile hunting box body for the Nawab of Bahawalpur. The latter was convertible to either sleeping accommodation or seating for twelve people. A six wheeler saloon car still using the 19.6 engine was displayed at the 1930 motor show. Production of the 19.6 continued until 1926 during which time approximately 1150 were made. (Crossley car production records have been lost - all figures quoted here are estimates derived from known chassis numbers). Forty six of these cars are known to survive but some are incomplete.

Towards Banstead railway station

Banstead Hall School. Originally a boarding school, it closed in 1936 and was bought by Surrey County Council for use as an 'Approved School' for boys, which continued until 1970.

Brighton Road (from Sutton)

From Banstead Village

Fir Tree Road

A217 Brighton Road