HMS TRIALS REPLICA 

“ROVING CORRESPONDENT ROGER T. PATTERSON tests one of Britain’s rarest cars” reads the subtitle of this R&T September 1959 road test. I cannot speak to the whereabouts (or whoabouts) of Mr. Patterson, but he and I have something in common: Our first appearances in R&T came about through poking fun at the magazine: Specifically, my August 1972 Mini Moke article was suggestive of R&T’s “When the New Wears Off” restoration genre; Mr. Patterson’s article, of its road tests. 

Being an anglophile and lover of its idiosyncratic tradition of automotive trials, I recounted back in 2012, “That is, wait until grassy meadows, dales and hillocks become slick with English weather, then compete for quickest time on a flag-defined course up, down and through. The more up, the more down, the more slick, the better. Then, once appropriately muddy, regroup to the nearest pub.”

Today I am pleased to offer tidbits gleaned from R&T’s road test of the HMS Trials Replica. Quoted comments and captions are those of roving correspondent Roger T. Patterson.

The Rigors of Marginal Motoring: “Ever a popular machine with hard-to-please enthusiasts, the HMS has always emphasized spartan efficiency while offering a multitude of optional equipment to afford the novice a graduated introduction to the rigors of marginal motoring. The company’s recently introduced Trials Replica Mk IX sustains this tradition.” 

Racing Voids The …. In counter of sanctioning conventions, its engine is “an advanced ohc V-6 of 1501 cc.… Sir Braithewaite Muggins-Browne, chairman of the HMS board, has been asked for a statement in this connection. Aside from expressing his smug disdain for owners of HMS’s now engaged in racing, he declined to do more than remind us that such activities would promptly void the guarantee policy of cars in question.”

“Attracted by the distinctive Mk IX exhaust note, neighboring landowners observe the HMS as it streaks across Rottingoaks Bridge. The constable, who accompanied them, turned out to be a very decent sort and spent considerable time discussing the most interesting reactions of sheep toward loud noises.” This and following images by Patterson via R&T.

Technical Niceties. “The normal seasoned spruce frame continues to provide a supple platform upon which to mount the rudimentary coachwork without sacrificing overmuch in terms of weight/power ratio.”

I suspect the Malvern Links lads caught onto this suppleness expertise as well.

The Competition Experience. “We discovered the true purpose of the Trials Replica Mk IX at our international hillclimb gradient, Slippery Wash, after enjoying a delicious luncheon with Beaujolais 1949 at that delightful little inn which adjoins the starting line.”

“The clean-lined tail and exhaust pipe of the HMS are clearly defined as it rockets to the crest of Slippery Wash.” 

“Authentically timed away from the mark, we reveled in the hearty exhaust under mounting revs. Early autumn colors were simply rampant as we motored past thickets of russet aspen, deep crimson juniper and chartreuse poison sumac. We also noted a new roof being applied atop the groundskeeper’s cottage at the estate of the Honorable Clerk of the Course and, farther along, received snappy salutes from several parties of gooseberry pickers.”

“Your photographer catches the Mk IX descending Slippery Wash, following an ascent in the meritorious time of 8:34.9.”

Narrative and photography surely set R&T apart with its being-there ambiance.

“The rain was already beginning to fall, some drops spattering the camera lens, and further tests were temporarily postponed. Above, the test team observes the HMS speed trials.”

Top Speed. “Run off on the Club’s circuit under full gale conditions, our speed trials were unlike any previous data recorded by this journal. Assisted substantially by a rather brisk tailwind, our first run was clocked at 112.31, while the return resulted in a speed of 37.31.” 

R&T’s Data Panels had long been industry standards of cogent presentation.

It Was Gusty. “After the Club’s gardener located our test car’s hood (an exceptionally staunch bit of fabric, incidentally, having suffered no noticeable damage on being blown away into a thornbush grove by one particularly vile gust of wind), we had an opportunity to evaluate the handling of the Mk IX.”

Handling Analyses. “When cornering over 35 mph, outer-wheel lift should reduce tire wear considerably…. A noticeable feature of the hand-formed coachwork was the ceaseless creaking of panel joints, surely indicative of fluid adhesion to whatever road surface one may encounter.”

Accommodations. “Upholstery in deep cotton wadding trimmed with soil-resistant muslin (shades to suit on deluxe models), the wide bench seat offered complete driver comfort and required only the removal of 9 small jeweler’s screws to relocate countless positions. Care, it should be pointed out, should be taken, however, to align the seat properly when repositioning is being done. When secured to the floorpan, the seat acts as a frame stiffener, and misalignment could lead to serious tire wear.”

The Obligatory Nuvolari Reference. “Upholding revered traditions by its illustrious forebears, the HMS Trials Replica Mk IX is a mount designed to bring out the Nuvolari in all owners whether they possess any of his characteristics or not.” 

R&T’s roving correspondent surely knew his R&T. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2026