Help identifying a strange little car
Discussion
I'm glad somebody put it on Auto Puzzles.
One thing that sticks out to me is the front screen, and the amount of bodywork (metal/fibreglass) above it. Also quite thick A-pillars which were not common back then. Very few cars have a screen that finishes 6 inches or so from where the roof begins. It doesn't look like the work of a volume manufacturer at all, more like they've just sourced a random screen and stuck it in a hole.
The arches have been mentioned before, but the front being rounded and the rears being more squared off seems strange. Is part of the rear wheel covered by the arch/rear quarter? The front 1/3 reminds me of a Glas 1300 GT, the small bonnet scoop etc. If we're going with there being a luggage rack on the black car, then does 'our' car have a bit of a sharknose? Again partly present on the Glas.
That windscreen though.. Just looks like an afterthought.
One thing that sticks out to me is the front screen, and the amount of bodywork (metal/fibreglass) above it. Also quite thick A-pillars which were not common back then. Very few cars have a screen that finishes 6 inches or so from where the roof begins. It doesn't look like the work of a volume manufacturer at all, more like they've just sourced a random screen and stuck it in a hole.
The arches have been mentioned before, but the front being rounded and the rears being more squared off seems strange. Is part of the rear wheel covered by the arch/rear quarter? The front 1/3 reminds me of a Glas 1300 GT, the small bonnet scoop etc. If we're going with there being a luggage rack on the black car, then does 'our' car have a bit of a sharknose? Again partly present on the Glas.
That windscreen though.. Just looks like an afterthought.
MarshPhantom said:
Is this it? Prototype of a 1953 Marathon
Cackhanded windscreen - check.
Arches look to lower at the back than the front - check.
Suicide doors on the Marathon, normal doors on the mystery car (no handle in sight) and very different in profile - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0...Cackhanded windscreen - check.
Arches look to lower at the back than the front - check.
Mr2Mike said:
Bebee said:
I know this isn't it but close I thought. Should we be looking at Lancia?
Lancia Beta Montecarlo
They both have four wheels and a bonnet scoop I suppose.Lancia Beta Montecarlo
S3_Graham said:
That's very similar to Columbo's Pug, shame he's not still with us, he might be able to help.S3_Graham said:
No bonnet vent on it, really really close though.Amazing no one has confirmed it, pretty mysterious car!
S3_Graham said:
No bonnet scoop and the a pillars differentMouse1903 said:
S3_Graham said:
No bonnet vent on it, really really close though.Amazing no one has confirmed it, pretty mysterious car!
The original website that featured the photo has, I think a clearer enlargement of the vehicle. Especially on the front end and maybe some of the lower detail. I hope the PH'er who originally enlarged the picture won't be offended with me posting it.
Another source for someone with time on their hands to go through it is here:
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/browse.php
Although it's not as comprehensive as the site owners make out and frustratingly there are loads of pictures missing from some of the likely candidates.
The only thing I can add to the discussion is that it must be something out of the ordinary as the passer by has turned his head to look at it whereas if it was just a run of the mill, ho, hum, see them every day model he probably wouldn't.
The thing I'm having difficulty matching is the dome of the roof combined with the rounded top of the side glass and how far forward the 'A' pillar is. There aren't many cars around where a line extending from the bottom of the A pillar meets the front wheel arch.
Another source for someone with time on their hands to go through it is here:
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/browse.php
Although it's not as comprehensive as the site owners make out and frustratingly there are loads of pictures missing from some of the likely candidates.
The only thing I can add to the discussion is that it must be something out of the ordinary as the passer by has turned his head to look at it whereas if it was just a run of the mill, ho, hum, see them every day model he probably wouldn't.
The thing I'm having difficulty matching is the dome of the roof combined with the rounded top of the side glass and how far forward the 'A' pillar is. There aren't many cars around where a line extending from the bottom of the A pillar meets the front wheel arch.
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