Another mystery car
Discussion
Good find there, could be heading in the right direction. Check out the Lloyd Arabella rear window and shape of the rear side window glass.
The Arabella is not the model above, the Arabella looks like a small 2-door Hillman Minx. Possibly same floorpan as model above though.
The Arabella is not the model above, the Arabella looks like a small 2-door Hillman Minx. Possibly same floorpan as model above though.
Edited by sun.and.rain on Saturday 28th November 11:40
galro said:
Given that the fit and finnish looks superb, I would guess it have been built be a professional coachbuilder. Could it be a Ghia-Aigle creation?
I agree with you that this a bit more than just a "special" - this is a good quality piece of work, although I'm convinced it's made of GRP.It doesn't help at all, but I can now tell you that at least 4 members of Autopuzzles don't know what it is - the latest one baffled by it is one of the editors, and the one I was banking on.
galro said:
Looking at it further, I think you are right. It is probably made of fiberglass. I have also noticed the lack of chrome strips around the side window which in my mind seems like a very un-Italian (or Italian-derived Swiss) thing to do.
I am coming at it from the opposite direction. To me it looks like the door fit etc is too good to be a 60s fibre glass special. Also, look at the sharpness of the wheel arch finishing; it all looks too sharp.Looking across the Channel came up with a couple of further "close but not quite" options...
Alta
And the Arista
But still not found the little blue coupe from London. Wheelbase and trims still say 'Berkeley" but the detailing around the doors is too neat. Argh, somebody please put this one to bed
Alta
And the Arista
But still not found the little blue coupe from London. Wheelbase and trims still say 'Berkeley" but the detailing around the doors is too neat. Argh, somebody please put this one to bed
Sorry. No definitive answer, but, some more thoughts, Someone suggested Frogeye/Spridget base, but we agree it is not just a kit, however, I have a Spridget, and looking at the structure, the scuttle in particular is correct . the aspect of the rear axle to seat is correct, so you could superimpose this onto a Frogeye/Spridget tub, so I wondered, Williams and Pritchard?, They were in London, probably making Sebrings at the time...... And were masters of aluminum.
AndrewCrown said:
Dryden...
Good call on Williams and Pritchard... definately something there... here's a Lotus Elan Coupe..
Agree, very similar rear top quarter treatment - but the Oxford Street Special has more 50s American styling cues (hooded headlights and wraparound windscreen) so I would guess predates that lovely Lotus.Good call on Williams and Pritchard... definately something there... here's a Lotus Elan Coupe..
AndrewCrown said:
Dryden...
Chaps I also came across this... just for interest..
Many years ago I had the cylinder heads off this works car & fitted them to my Tiger. I believe they are still on the car - NAN 340DChaps I also came across this... just for interest..
Sunbeam Tiger - Shenstone CC Autocross 1971Compare the front of this Nickri Alpine.(Especially the black and white picture a bit further down). The rest of it is wrong but the front looks close.
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
Edited by everyeggabird on Sunday 29th November 17:17
everyeggabird said:
Compare the front of this Nickri Alpine.(Especially the black and white picture a bit further down). The rest of it is wrong but the front looks close.
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
Front is quite close (ignoring the front mounted bonnet hinges and again this hooded headlights), front wheel arches look right too - you say the rest is wrong but that rear wing line isn't that far out (if the rear wheel arch matched the front).http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
Edited by everyeggabird on Sunday 29th November 17:17
V
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_127515-Daimler-DR450-...
threespires said:
Many years ago I had the cylinder heads off this works car & fitted them to my Tiger. I believe they are still on the car - NAN 340D
Plate on the Pakistani Ambassador's Daimler Majestic Major in Alfie in 1966 was NAN 404D ...http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_127515-Daimler-DR450-...
everyeggabird said:
Compare the front of this Nickri Alpine.(Especially the black and white picture a bit further down). The rest of it is wrong but the front looks close.
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/nickri.htm
Edited by everyeggabird on Sunday 29th November 17:17
I've not got a great deal to add but my money is still on a British fibreglass special of some variety. As said by others those hubcaps were early 60's common extras, front dum irons instead of full bumper etc. The raised hinge detail for the rear screen also points to some form of plate built into the fibreglass?
The quality is good from the picture but I bet there were many more talented home builders than there are now. My grandfather had a ford based special (cannot recall the make) but can remember him discussing how much work the tub needed to make look "right", so obviously the quality wasn't so good from the factory. He learnt his trade building Horsa gliders in the war and would spend all day fettling bodywork
The quality is good from the picture but I bet there were many more talented home builders than there are now. My grandfather had a ford based special (cannot recall the make) but can remember him discussing how much work the tub needed to make look "right", so obviously the quality wasn't so good from the factory. He learnt his trade building Horsa gliders in the war and would spend all day fettling bodywork
stu67 said:
The raised hinge detail for the rear screen also points to some form of plate built into the fibreglass?
Is that not just a reflection? As it goes into the very tops of the doors whether they are gull wing or not it would not work. The rear window looks fixed with rubber beading all the around. In the photo there appears to be petrol filler cap on the near side of the sloping fastback, the frogeye sprite is on the offside, so possibly not a sprite fuel tank. Those hooded front lights are very unusual, can anyone comment on whether they think the driver is sitting on the left or right.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff