Few towns have the honour of a car named after where they were built. Newport Pagnell does in the shape of the Salmons NP!
Almost 400 of the ‘NP’ (for Newport Pagnell), were made by the carriage builder-turned car company Salmons & Sons in the 1920s at its Tickford Street workshop - but where are they now? Local writer Chris Nelson hopes townsfolk and those living further afield can help them track down a survivor.
The NP features in a new book about Newport Pagnell’s connection with Aston Martin, and its roots in the carriage builder Joseph Salmons, which preceded the famous luxury car marque. Salmons & Sons and Aston Martin – A town’s historic contribution to the UK transport industry tells of the fascinating journey from Salmons’ horse-drawn Victorian dogcarts, through Tickford, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, David Brown and Ford to James Bond and one of the most recognised automotive brands in the world.
Salmons’ NP or N.P. was launched at the 1922 Motor Show under the Salmons Light Car Company name and was the firm’s first complete car offering ‘high quality within a modest package’ for around £550. But it failed to sell sufficiently and was withdrawn within two years.
‘But what happened to the 395 or so we know were built?’ asks Chris, who was born in Newport Pagnell and attended Ousedale School. ‘Surely they couldn’t all have disappeared? Could just one example still be sitting at the back of a garage, under a tarpaulin or quietly decaying in a barn, perhaps even in Newport Pagnell.’
‘To have a car designed, built and named after Newport Pagnell is remarkable, yet apart from a few pictures all of the NPs have apparently been lost without trace. Sadly anyone who might have worked on the cars will no longer be with us but their families are perhaps still living in Newport Pagnell with stories, memories, documents or even parts of the NP,’ said Chris.
On Saturday December 3, Chris Nelson who compiled the book and publisher Richard Meredith, are holding a launch and signing session between 10.30am and 12.30pm at the United Reformed Church Hall, off High Street, Newport Pagnell. They invite those with any information about the Salmons NP to come along, as well as anyone interested in Newport Pagnell and its fascinating automotive history.
Chris says that despite a remarkable 200 year association with the transport industry the town has not always had the recognition it deserves. ‘Finding one of the old NPs, even bits of one, would be a proud moment,’ he said.
Salmons & Sons and Aston Martin – A town’s historic contribution to the UK transport industry compiled by Chris Nelson is published by WordGo on behalf of Mercury Books www.wordgo.org.uk
ISBN: 9780954143275 pb 68pp illustrated £6
