Another mystery car
Discussion
Roy C said:
Slightly off topic: this film clip shows footage of Oxford Street that is roughly contemporary with the picture of the mystery car
Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
In the first few seconds of the video . . . . wonder where the lorry with the boat on the back was going / had come from to be driving down Oxford Street??!!Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
Roy C said:
Slightly off topic: this film clip shows footage of Oxford Street that is roughly contemporary with the picture of the mystery car
Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
Great film, thanks for posting.. Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
I've known about, and been infuriated by this thread for about a year now - every time I think I've figured it out, it always seems to turn out I was wrong...
...but, I recently found the most promising idea I've had so far - a Ford Based Kit car built by a company called Dolphin Coachwork
http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/dolphin.html
"I doubt if the Dolphin was ever built. Certainly no picture ever appeared other than this line drawing. It was advertised for a few months at the start of 1961 in Motor Clubman and Special builder magazine. The shells were to be made for Dolphin by Peasmarsh Reinforced Plastics of Guildford, Surrey. They would be available with either high fin or swept down rear and in two or four seat versions.
The 7`6" Mk1 and Mk2 would be supplied ex works for an estimated £99 and £106. The shells would be available in six colours, fully trimmed with all edges fully returned and weather sealed. Double skinned doors with pockets would be hinged and locked and the one piece forward hinged bonnet would be held in place by chrome plated spring clips. The boot was also to be hinged and locked and the headlamps recessed into the wings and covered by perspex blisters. A front bulkhead and dash board were to be provided as were one or two head rest fairings to the customers choice plus a wrap-round perspex windscreen. Hardtops were to be made available as was a GT version for early 1962 complete with gull wing doors."
Sadly, this is everything I can find about the company, and the line drawing is pretty far from the photo we have, but as far as I can gather is from an earlier, and different model. It also wasn't uncommon for companies to take some liberties in regards to what their product actually looked like with line drawings like that too.
Even though I was doubtful about it based on the drawing, everything else seems to match up. How many almost completely unheard of GT cars with clamshell hoods, recessed headlights, wraparound windscreens, fins and (potentially) Gullwing doors could there have been in early 1960's Britain?
Anyone know anything more about Dolphin?
...but, I recently found the most promising idea I've had so far - a Ford Based Kit car built by a company called Dolphin Coachwork
http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/dolphin.html
"I doubt if the Dolphin was ever built. Certainly no picture ever appeared other than this line drawing. It was advertised for a few months at the start of 1961 in Motor Clubman and Special builder magazine. The shells were to be made for Dolphin by Peasmarsh Reinforced Plastics of Guildford, Surrey. They would be available with either high fin or swept down rear and in two or four seat versions.
The 7`6" Mk1 and Mk2 would be supplied ex works for an estimated £99 and £106. The shells would be available in six colours, fully trimmed with all edges fully returned and weather sealed. Double skinned doors with pockets would be hinged and locked and the one piece forward hinged bonnet would be held in place by chrome plated spring clips. The boot was also to be hinged and locked and the headlamps recessed into the wings and covered by perspex blisters. A front bulkhead and dash board were to be provided as were one or two head rest fairings to the customers choice plus a wrap-round perspex windscreen. Hardtops were to be made available as was a GT version for early 1962 complete with gull wing doors."
Sadly, this is everything I can find about the company, and the line drawing is pretty far from the photo we have, but as far as I can gather is from an earlier, and different model. It also wasn't uncommon for companies to take some liberties in regards to what their product actually looked like with line drawings like that too.
Even though I was doubtful about it based on the drawing, everything else seems to match up. How many almost completely unheard of GT cars with clamshell hoods, recessed headlights, wraparound windscreens, fins and (potentially) Gullwing doors could there have been in early 1960's Britain?
Anyone know anything more about Dolphin?
1aurence said:
I've known about, and been infuriated by this thread for about a year now - every time I think I've figured it out, it always seems to turn out I was wrong...
...but, I recently found the most promising idea I've had so far - a Ford Based Kit car built by a company called Dolphin Coachwork
http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/dolphin.html
"I doubt if the Dolphin was ever built. Certainly no picture ever appeared other than this line drawing. It was advertised for a few months at the start of 1961 in Motor Clubman and Special builder magazine. The shells were to be made for Dolphin by Peasmarsh Reinforced Plastics of Guildford, Surrey. They would be available with either high fin or swept down rear and in two or four seat versions.
The 7`6" Mk1 and Mk2 would be supplied ex works for an estimated £99 and £106. The shells would be available in six colours, fully trimmed with all edges fully returned and weather sealed. Double skinned doors with pockets would be hinged and locked and the one piece forward hinged bonnet would be held in place by chrome plated spring clips. The boot was also to be hinged and locked and the headlamps recessed into the wings and covered by perspex blisters. A front bulkhead and dash board were to be provided as were one or two head rest fairings to the customers choice plus a wrap-round perspex windscreen. Hardtops were to be made available as was a GT version for early 1962 complete with gull wing doors."
Sadly, this is everything I can find about the company, and the line drawing is pretty far from the photo we have, but as far as I can gather is from an earlier, and different model. It also wasn't uncommon for companies to take some liberties in regards to what their product actually looked like with line drawings like that too.
Even though I was doubtful about it based on the drawing, everything else seems to match up. How many almost completely unheard of GT cars with clamshell hoods, recessed headlights, wraparound windscreens, fins and (potentially) Gullwing doors could there have been in early 1960's Britain?
Anyone know anything more about Dolphin?
Well done with your hard work. I hope it might take us in a new direction....but, I recently found the most promising idea I've had so far - a Ford Based Kit car built by a company called Dolphin Coachwork
http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/dolphin.html
"I doubt if the Dolphin was ever built. Certainly no picture ever appeared other than this line drawing. It was advertised for a few months at the start of 1961 in Motor Clubman and Special builder magazine. The shells were to be made for Dolphin by Peasmarsh Reinforced Plastics of Guildford, Surrey. They would be available with either high fin or swept down rear and in two or four seat versions.
The 7`6" Mk1 and Mk2 would be supplied ex works for an estimated £99 and £106. The shells would be available in six colours, fully trimmed with all edges fully returned and weather sealed. Double skinned doors with pockets would be hinged and locked and the one piece forward hinged bonnet would be held in place by chrome plated spring clips. The boot was also to be hinged and locked and the headlamps recessed into the wings and covered by perspex blisters. A front bulkhead and dash board were to be provided as were one or two head rest fairings to the customers choice plus a wrap-round perspex windscreen. Hardtops were to be made available as was a GT version for early 1962 complete with gull wing doors."
Sadly, this is everything I can find about the company, and the line drawing is pretty far from the photo we have, but as far as I can gather is from an earlier, and different model. It also wasn't uncommon for companies to take some liberties in regards to what their product actually looked like with line drawings like that too.
Even though I was doubtful about it based on the drawing, everything else seems to match up. How many almost completely unheard of GT cars with clamshell hoods, recessed headlights, wraparound windscreens, fins and (potentially) Gullwing doors could there have been in early 1960's Britain?
Anyone know anything more about Dolphin?
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/spaceframe.htm
We had that yet? Was on another web page with suggestions of it being a modified version.
Edited by Digby on Friday 12th May 21:45
Roy C said:
Slightly off topic: this film clip shows footage of Oxford Street that is roughly contemporary with the picture of the mystery car
Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
Love that !Look At Life - Living with Cars 1964
I love the positivity and purpose about building Cumbernauld. Sadly these projects don't live up to the promise and the whole Town Centre was once voted the worst building in Britain..
OK car spotters - what is this car at the very end of this clip ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUQD1p9bXY
Edited by V41LEY on Wednesday 17th May 08:39
Jowett Jupiter
V41LEY said:
Love that !
I love the positivity and purpose about building Cumbernauld. Sadly these projects don't live up to the promise and the whole Town Centre was once voted the worst building in Britain..
OK car spotters - what is this car at the very end of this clip ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUQD1p9bXY
I love the positivity and purpose about building Cumbernauld. Sadly these projects don't live up to the promise and the whole Town Centre was once voted the worst building in Britain..
OK car spotters - what is this car at the very end of this clip ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUQD1p9bXY
Edited by V41LEY on Wednesday 17th May 08:39
Having just spent far too much of my life going back through this thread I'm going to add in a new (I've not found it yet in here) option.
It is remarkably similar to the lines of an Elva Courier.
Elva produced a number of Coupe models and I believe some of the Couriers were Coupe'd to go racing...
Thoughts?
Elva as a credible manufacturer, in the right era, of race cars would explain the decent panel fit and overall quality....
Elva Courier:
It is remarkably similar to the lines of an Elva Courier.
Elva produced a number of Coupe models and I believe some of the Couriers were Coupe'd to go racing...
Thoughts?
Elva as a credible manufacturer, in the right era, of race cars would explain the decent panel fit and overall quality....
Elva Courier:
Edited by TimCrighton on Wednesday 17th May 13:46
piper said:
Jowett Jupiter
Yes, I agreeV41LEY said:
Love that !
I love the positivity and purpose about building Cumbernauld. Sadly these projects don't live up to the promise and the whole Town Centre was once voted the worst building in Britain..
OK car spotters - what is this car at the very end of this clip ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUQD1p9bXY
I love the positivity and purpose about building Cumbernauld. Sadly these projects don't live up to the promise and the whole Town Centre was once voted the worst building in Britain..
OK car spotters - what is this car at the very end of this clip ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUQD1p9bXY
Edited by V41LEY on Wednesday 17th May 08:39
TimCrighton said:
Having just spent far too much of my life going back through this thread I'm going to add in a new (I've not found it yet in here) option.
It is remarkably similar to the lines of an Elva Courier.
Elva produced a number of Coupe models and I believe some of the Couriers were Coupe'd to go racing...
Thoughts?
Elva as a credible manufacturer, in the right era, of race cars would explain the decent panel fit and overall quality....
Elva Courier:
Oh heck, I've just come back here and wished I hadn't! Been through it all again. Pretty confident it's nothing to do with Elva. If Frank Nichols had been involved in this car it would have been news. I assume we still think the mystery pic is 1960(ish) and Elva was near bankruptcy at that point and stuff being moved to Trojan if I recall. Because of this I have just had a dip(!!) into and through the 'massive' book on Elva - is it the biggest motoring book out there (it is without doubt the biggest book on a small marque) - weighs just over 3.5 kilos! Mad. But very nice!It is remarkably similar to the lines of an Elva Courier.
Elva produced a number of Coupe models and I believe some of the Couriers were Coupe'd to go racing...
Thoughts?
Elva as a credible manufacturer, in the right era, of race cars would explain the decent panel fit and overall quality....
Elva Courier:
There was the link with WP (Williams & Pritchard) and the aluminium version which formed the buck for the Courier. But the mystery car, nah.
I did mention in previous post about Malcolm McKay (used to be at Classic & Sportscar mag) and his colleague whose name I'd forgotten, who together were compiling a book 'Fifties Specials'. I remember his name, it was Russell James. At the time he was in the Downton, Wilts area. He was nuts about any specials right into the 60s. If anyone knows his whereabouts he could help I'm sure.
Another thing that is odd about the mystery car to me is the headlamps/wings. Why have the wings coming forward over the headlamp like that, sort of American style?
Or is that a extra add on cover over the headlamp in grp painted ins body colour?
Oh crikey, who knows? You know what I mean don't you... let's find something. Not exactly, but this is what I'm getting at.
https://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_l...
I still think it will be a 'special', a one off. It's def registered here, has the well-known then stick on reg plate...
I'm gonna have a beer before this drives me
Be back again ...in about 3 months.
Edited by dandarez on Wednesday 17th May 22:09
I'm still in the camp that thinks it's LHD (right parked wiper blades) and feels French, even if it was registered here. Kind of surprised that the Forum Auto entry produced bugger all.
The overall appearance is one of those Le Mans styles which subsequently inspires road car design but very briefly (like the breadvan look that happened later). The diminutive fins and cowled headlights are all of a very distinct period. I think the little roof flip above the driver would be to accommodate a helmet in its secondary duty as a racer.
I'm also wondering if the car itself was as much a point of interest in the original photograph as the buses It looks to have been cleaned slightly to enhance its visibility.
I imagine the kind of guys who could identify this are mostly not on the internet being in their 80s now, or moved on to another place! If any more pictures do exist woul it be likely in the classifieds of older mags like Motor Sport
The overall appearance is one of those Le Mans styles which subsequently inspires road car design but very briefly (like the breadvan look that happened later). The diminutive fins and cowled headlights are all of a very distinct period. I think the little roof flip above the driver would be to accommodate a helmet in its secondary duty as a racer.
I'm also wondering if the car itself was as much a point of interest in the original photograph as the buses It looks to have been cleaned slightly to enhance its visibility.
I imagine the kind of guys who could identify this are mostly not on the internet being in their 80s now, or moved on to another place! If any more pictures do exist woul it be likely in the classifieds of older mags like Motor Sport
Edited by Loose_Cannon on Thursday 18th May 13:43
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