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Image of HRG Logo[D]
Photograph of 1935 HRG 1.5 Litre Prototype
1935 HRG 1.5 Litre Prototype [D]
Photograph of 1936 HRG 1.5 Litre
1936 HRG 1.5 Litre [D]
Photograph of 1939 HRG 1100
1939 HRG 1100 [D]
Photograph of 1946 HRG Aerodynamic Prototype
1946 HRG Aerodynamic Prototype [D]
Photograph of 1947 HRG 1500
1947 HRG 1500 [D]
Photograph of 1947 HRG Aerodynamic
1947 HRG Aerodynamic [D]
Photograph of 1949 HRG Le Mans Lightweight
1949 HRG Le Mans Lightweight [D]
Photograph of 1949 HRG 1500
1949 HRG 1500 [D]
Photograph of 1952 HRG 1500
1952 HRG 1500 [D]
Photograph of 1956 HRG Twin Cam
1956 HRG Twin Cam [D]
Photograph of 1937 HRG 1.5 Litre
1937 HRG 1.5 Litre [D]
Photograph of 1949 HRG 1500
1949 HRG 1500 [D]
Photograph of 1937 HRG 1.5 Litre
1937 HRG 1.5 Litre [D]
HRG
H.R.G. Engineering Company Ltd.
Oakcroft Road
Tolworth
Surrey
1935-1960+

Henry Ronald Godfrey (born near London in 1887) had been associated with Archie Frazer-Nash during production of the GN (Godfrey & Nash) Cyclecar, but the company went bust after the Great War. A new company was formed to make a four-cylinder car with members of the Black family as directors; John Black later became Chairman and Managing Director of the Standard Motor Company.

Frazer-Nash left GN in 1922 to form his own company, and Ron Godfrey followed shortly after to set up a repair business HR Godfrey Motors which supplied GN spares and offered rebuilds. Later Godfrey formed a company with Stuart Proctor. Godfrey and Proctor Ltd. serviced GN's but intended to produce their own car. This was not a success with only about 10 being constructed, each car was different and were Austin Seven based and they ceased trading in 1927 or 1928.

Godfrey and Frazer-Nash formed Nash and Thompson at Kingston-upon-Thames in 1929 and were involved with work for the Royal Air Force and the Admiralty. This very successful company went on to design the Frazer-Nash gun turret that was to be widely used in World War II.

During the 1930's Godfrey spent a lot of time at Brooklands and met Major Ted Halford who, in 1935 Ronald Godfrey approached with an idea to produce a new car. They were joined by Guy Herbert Robins, previously with Trojan, and took premises at the Mid-Surrey Gear Company, Hampden Road, Norbiton. The first prototype was shown at the end of 1935, a sports car in the vintage tradition. The company was established in 1936. Robins left in 1950.

HRG sports cars retained their vintage style throughout their production. Car production ceased in about 1956 and reverted to other engineering work. However a Vauxhall engined experimental sports car was tried in 1965 before the company ceased trading in 1966.

Godfrey died in October 1968 and Robins (born November 1906) died in March 2003.

241 cars were built, and 225 (over 93%) survive.

Ian Dussek formed the HRG Association in 1960 and wrote "H.R.G: 'The Sportsman's Ideal' (ISBN 0 947981 04 7) in 1985 and in 2010 a revised edition (ISBN 978-0-9565124-0-6). Following the death of Guy Robins, Ian became the HRG Association Patron from Secretary, a post he held for 43 years.

The photograph of the blue 1949 1500 was kindly provided by Ross G Frater of Brisbane.