M & E Models Ltd

M&E Models was run by E.J and S.E Thornton and had its manufacturing base and main showroom in the High Street in Exmouth Devon. The company specialised in commercial model manufacturing with their own extensive workshop facilities. Included in their range were locomotives and rolling stock for model railways and a range of model ships, boats and yachts with materials and kits and accessories as well as their own steam plants. A team of craftsmen were responsible for producing this vast range of items although a few products from other companies were also on offer.

All the boats ships and yachts were carved by hand from built up Lime and Pine and whilst perfectly finished on the outside showed all the saw chisel and gouge marks on the inside. The cheapest product was a model yacht at 25/- (£1.25) and there were a range of these up to £25 whilst ship models could cost up to £75, worth about £3000 today

In 1947, following a year of intensive development, the company introduced a 'range' of tethered racing cars. These cars were all based on the same steel ladder chassis, wheels and suspension and included a very solid clutch with a variety of options for engine types and mountings. Impressive scale and semi scale, hand carved, softwood bodies completed the models and were the only real difference between the models in the range. Parts were available individually or as sets.

In 1948 the smaller and simpler Wasp was introduced to meet the demands of class C racing, for engines up to 2.5cc. This car had no suspension and one driving wheel only and was again available either as a kit or completed model. Both cars were available directly from Exmouth or through a network of dealers such as Bud Morgan and Gamages.

The M&E operation was struggling in the post war climate as the market for the hand built premium models had all but vanished and the manufacturing methods used were labour intensive and did not lend themselves to mechanisation. M&E Models was offered for sale by Leslie Fulford, a business agent, in November 1949 as a going concern to include the remainder of the lease on the workshop, but there is no evidence that the company changed hands and certainly the manufacture of tether cars ceased soon after. Mr E.J Thornton was responsible, along with others, in forming the Exmouth and District Society of Model Engineers in 1946 and acted as chairman for a number of years.

Inside view of the Exmouth showroom and workshop. A modellers paradise. On show are powered aircraft, gliders, ships, yachts and bare hulls. The back wall has a range of handsaws displayed and in the foreground is a child's pedal car. Leaning against the showcase are buckets and spades for the passing tourists.

Adverts started in 1947 stating that demonstration kits had been despatched to stockists 'all over the country' and that kits 'will be available shortly'. Later advert illustrated here contained basic information about the two kits. Only the original adverts made any claims about the quality of the kits.

The standard kit for engines from 2.5 to 10cc showing all the individual items including the two pieces of steel curtain track which made up the chassis sides. No fuel tank battery box or tether brackets are illustrated here. The Challenger and Special bodies were supplied as standard with the kit

Chassis numbers can be found on the rear chassis member and started from 1000. Early numbers up to approximately 1150 were on a separate plate and after that punched in directly. The earliest car known is the 19th made as illustrated here. The highest number known to exist on a car is 1399 while the 1642 shown here was on a spare part that never found its way into a kit.

M&E introduced their tethered cars at the Model Engineer exhibition in 1947. A feature of the hall was a circular tank for boats with a track for aircraft, and tethered cars round it. The Chief engineer of M&E (Mr Thornton) demonstrated their cars on the track throughout the exhibition and shown here is the Special bodied version going through its paces at 40mph. A correspondent in Model Engineer chided Mr Thornton because his white workshop coat was dirty and showed 'lack of professional standards'

The Sketch by Bryan de Grineau was originally printed in the Illustrated London News and later owned by Miquel de Rancougne. Sold at Christies in 2004 for £763.

		The standard chassis kit with the rear engine mounting option showing a 6cc Stentor fitted. Smaller engines could be mounted on a pylon in place of the fuel tank. An advertised feature was the spring loaded drive shaft which could be removed without taking the car apart. Tether brackets could be fitted either side of the car to allow for clockwise or counter clockwise running. The ignition switch however was handed and could only be use for one direction of running. The standard kit with either the Special or Challenger body retailed for £12-10-0, worth about £500 today.

Standard Challenger body	Premium ERA body	Standard 'Special' body	The special order Austin body.
All four body styles were hand carved and left 'rough' on the inside. The Special body was for use with the rear mounted engine option. The scale ERA and Austin 750 bodies were to special order and cost £3-10-0, some £140 at today's prices.

The smaller Wasp for engines up to 2.5cc. Usually found with ED MKII or MKIII units mounted on a wooden block. The front inside wheel was driven through a small clutch unit and bevel gearbox while the outside wheel ran free. The rear wheels ran free on an axle that was pivoted in the middle to allow the car to 'steer'. The kit was available at 95/-, 25p less than £5 and included the 'Bugatti style body and radiator grill. Both cars featured upholstered seats