DID - U – KNOW
by Facia Nearside

His Majesty’s airship, the R100, was developed in the late 1920’s to provide passenger and mail transport within the British Empire. Although government funded, the R100 was built by the Airship Guarantee Co. headed by Dennis Burney, a gifted aeronautical engineer and inventor.

Burney had a keen interest in aerodynamics, and automobiles of the 1920’s appeared stodgy to him so he decided to do something about it. In 1927 he established Streamline Cars LTD for the purpose of building advanced aerodynamic automobiles. Burney produced thirteen individual cars, each a unique design that was never intended for production.


They were developed to showcase his patents and innovative ideas. In addition to their aerodynamic shape this included fared-in headlights, hydraulic brakes, independent suspensions, a spare wheel carried inside the rear door, and even a heater! The smooth aerodynamic body was capable of seating seven and it concluded at the rear with a Beverly-Barnes straight eight engine cantilevered out beyond the rear wheels.

Believing the Streamlines pointed the way to the future, Crossley Motors took out a license to build them in 1933. Unfortunately, the cars were expensive to manufacture, had unpredictable handling characteristics in wet weather, and proved too "different” to sell. Crossley wound up production of the model after25 had been built. None of the Burney Streamlines are known to survive, and only two of the Crossley Streamlines are thought to exist. One is at the National Motor Museum in Beulieu UK, the other is a private collection.

The R-100 Car" Aka The R - 100 Car (1930)

Editors Note: Reprinted from the British Boots and Bonnets Car Club Chronicle —Jan-Feb 2021 issue