Help identifying a strange little car
Discussion
DavePieman said:
Been discussing this with a fellow car anorak and he provided this link, closest match I've seen so far: http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gal...
Wheels definitely suggest a Panhard/Dyna of some sort, or maybe a DB.
nice with 3 headlights but has round rear archesWheels definitely suggest a Panhard/Dyna of some sort, or maybe a DB.
ash73 said:
Why so sure it's not rear-engined?
It's none of these:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rear-engined...
I'm sure there are more rear-engined cars that aren't listed there but i can't think of any so wouldn't know to look for them.
Also just finished looking at Coachbuild.com and it's none of the cars there either.
BarbaricAvatar said:
It's none of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rear-engined...
I'm sure there are more rear-engined cars that aren't listed there but i can't think of any so wouldn't know to look for them.
Also just finished looking at Coachbuild.com and it's none of the cars there either.
That Wiki list is far from complete though - missing things that spring to mind include the VW type 4, Sunbeam Stilleto, Renault Floride, Caravelle etc.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rear-engined...
I'm sure there are more rear-engined cars that aren't listed there but i can't think of any so wouldn't know to look for them.
Also just finished looking at Coachbuild.com and it's none of the cars there either.
I must say that there is something about the 'cab forward' nature of the mystery car that makes me suspect it is rear engined.
Dr Interceptor said:
It's certainly very close...
Found this image too of the same model, which appears to have a quarterlight fitted - there's a definite line on the window.
The blue colour pic does show a sliding window divide if you look closely, which could look like a quarter light. Agree it is close but not there on wheel arches.Found this image too of the same model, which appears to have a quarterlight fitted - there's a definite line on the window.
AndyLB said:
There is definitely damage on the rear quarter - behind the rear wheel, or has this been spotted?
Lots of reasons why that could be in fairness though, perhaps it had been dinged previously and repaired at a coach workers who'd made their own panels and squared off the arches...Clutching at straws I know...!
FourWheelDrift said:
Do you know where in France it is?
La Chartre-sur-Loir, according to this site (near the bottom of the page): http://copper-mt.com/thread/automobiles-mythiques-....My french isn't great but I don't think they've got a clue what it is either. Some nice pics on that site though though.
AnotherClarkey said:
That Wiki list is far from complete though - missing things that spring to mind include the VW type 4, Sunbeam Stilleto, Renault Floride, Caravelle etc.
I must say that there is something about the 'cab forward' nature of the mystery car that makes me suspect it is rear engined.
It's none of those either, and they're too new. Got any more? I must say that there is something about the 'cab forward' nature of the mystery car that makes me suspect it is rear engined.
Tartan Pixie said:
La Chartre-sur-Loir, according to this site (near the bottom of the page): http://copper-mt.com/thread/automobiles-mythiques-....
My french isn't great but I don't think they've got a clue what it is either. Some nice pics on that site though though.
It is indeed, the hotel was used a a hub for Le Mans during the 50's and 60's by Ford and Aston Martin. The Hotel itself has a very rich history in motor racing etc and so I wouldnt be at all surprised if the funny little car is a one-off custom or concept of some sort. My french isn't great but I don't think they've got a clue what it is either. Some nice pics on that site though though.
bobbo89 said:
It is indeed, the hotel was used a a hub for Le Mans during the 50's and 60's by Ford and Aston Martin. The Hotel itself has a very rich history in motor racing etc and so I wouldnt be at all surprised if the funny little car is a one-off custom or concept of some sort.
I'm hoping and searching that it has been captured in another photo, especially if it's a local or regular visitor. Found two more period photos of the square so far but no sign of it yet. Not a mad idea as the rear engined car near the centre is in one of the photos.Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 30th June 14:26
No idea what it is, the suggestions posted all look close but not right. Any chance it could be a one off coach built car, owned by a careless driver? 
The other thing I thought when I first saw the pic was that the messy looking front end might be a bit of an optical illusion from the grainy photo, and it's luggage on the back of the black car in front of it, on a luggage rack type thing.
The other thing I thought when I first saw the pic was that the messy looking front end might be a bit of an optical illusion from the grainy photo, and it's luggage on the back of the black car in front of it, on a luggage rack type thing.
ajprice said:
The other thing I thought when I first saw the pic was that the messy looking front end might be a bit of an optical illusion from the grainy photo, and it's luggage on the back of the black car in front of it, on a luggage rack type thing.
I just came on to post that exact same thing.I was passing a pic of this around the paddock at Goodwood at the weekend and almost without exception all of the old boys immediately said, "shame that other car's rear rack is obscuring the lights and grille"...
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