The colonial Bean

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The good old Bean has its fans in the British Vintage-car scene. Although never numerous in the way that Bullnose Morrises, Austins and Humbers might be, the instantly-recognisable 12 and 14hp models share many of their merits. Their sturdy and dependable construction makes them well-respected among the ranks of medium-sized, unfancy Vintage cars.

Bean 18/50

The same might not be said of the Bean 18/50. Thanks to the successful trans-Australian adventures of Francis Birtles in Scarlet Runner and Sundowner, Beans went down a storm in Australia so much that the company slightly unwisely came to depend on its Antipodean exports. It was with colonial exports in mind that the 2.7-litre Meadows six-engined 18/50 was conceived. The big car was high an drugged enough to cope with outback roads and the 50hp engine was powerful, if not quite powerful enough to pull the car along with anything approaching 100 mph. When fitted with an Australian body, it has a handsome and almost American look about it, although its specification was very basic.

Unfortunately, the 18/50 was not the success Bean had hoped for, with just 503 selling in 1927, its only year of production, and things went further downhill afterwards. Toby Bruce, however, argues that the 18/50 is a much underrated car, quite quick even after a few tweaks, and he should know because he’s been driving one for five years. He sets the record straight in the March issue of The Automobile, available now.

Words by Zack Stiling. Photographs by Stefan Marjoram.

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