1:1 scale Fab 1 (the original one)
Discussion
When you say "full size", do you mean a full size driveable car capable of acrrying human passengers?
As the original TV series was populated by (roughly) quarter scale puppets, I would imagine the biggest "original" Fab 1 was not full size either. There was one on display at the Goodwood FoS a few years ago which looked like one of the "puppet capable" cars.
Perhaps, with the success of the originalTV series, full size "mock ups" of Fab 1 were manufactured. I have a feeling one might have been made as a promotional "vehicle" for the 1966 film "Thunderbirds Are Go".
As the original TV series was populated by (roughly) quarter scale puppets, I would imagine the biggest "original" Fab 1 was not full size either. There was one on display at the Goodwood FoS a few years ago which looked like one of the "puppet capable" cars.
Perhaps, with the success of the originalTV series, full size "mock ups" of Fab 1 were manufactured. I have a feeling one might have been made as a promotional "vehicle" for the 1966 film "Thunderbirds Are Go".
That looks pretty big to me, I'm sure I recall a full size car making TV publicity appearances, after the series ended originally though.
CPP 1W though is no longer a registered number.
Edited to add, for the puppet based film "Thunderbirds 6" a full size FAB1 was constructed at a cost of £11,000 for promotion of the film and toured Britain accompanied by Lady Penelope look alike, Penny Snow.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 14th March 14:46
CPP 1W though is no longer a registered number.
Edited to add, for the puppet based film "Thunderbirds 6" a full size FAB1 was constructed at a cost of £11,000 for promotion of the film and toured Britain accompanied by Lady Penelope look alike, Penny Snow.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 14th March 14:46
, although I didn't see it being driven I would imagine it was a 'real' car. 
A full size version was built for publicity purposes
It's on display at Cars Of The Stars Motor Museum in Keswick
www.carsofthestars.com/
It's on display at Cars Of The Stars Motor Museum in Keswick
www.carsofthestars.com/
555JWR said:
A full size version was built for publicity purposes
It's on display at Cars Of The Stars Motor Museum in Keswick
www.carsofthestars.com/
Aha! There it is, damn shame the website is rubbish.
any web developers looking for business try marketing them 
I was right about the notion of one being built for moview publicity use - although I picked the wrong movie.
I went to see "Thunderbirds Are Go" in the cinema in 1966 (i was only 8) . The great thing about seeing the movie back then was that it was possible to see Thunderbirds IN COLOUR. During Thunderbirds' first run on ITV (1964 to 1966), no one in the UK saw it in colour as colour TV didn't start in Britain until 1967. Although the series was made in colour (for the US market), we all had to make do with watching it in black and white.
I went to see "Thunderbirds Are Go" in the cinema in 1966 (i was only 8) . The great thing about seeing the movie back then was that it was possible to see Thunderbirds IN COLOUR. During Thunderbirds' first run on ITV (1964 to 1966), no one in the UK saw it in colour as colour TV didn't start in Britain until 1967. Although the series was made in colour (for the US market), we all had to make do with watching it in black and white.
The full size car is currently in 'the cars of the stars museum' as has been posted earlier. I saw this thing for real just after it was built, it was on tour and Hooleys Ford at Nottingham had it in the showroom, and I sat in it as a little lad. Proper thing, proper driver too. I believe the front wheel steering mechanism was from a coach. Full story and purchase, restoration saga etc is on the museum website.
It is however a bit home made and pretty crude. I am sure with a big enough wedge and a proper panel beater, something much better and driveable could be done.
It is however a bit home made and pretty crude. I am sure with a big enough wedge and a proper panel beater, something much better and driveable could be done.
dinkel said:It is small and expensive.
Is this museum any good?
The museum owns rather a lot of significant movie and television cars, but does't seem to have the space to display them.
There are about 20 vehicles on display. Last time I was there they were roughly as follows:
Batman Car (From one of the recent films)
Mr Bean's Mini
Emma Peel's Elan
One of the many Herbie VW Beetles
One of Magnum's 308s
The full size FAB 1 Rolls mentioned above
The Munsters V8 Hearse Hot Rod from the 1960s TV series
Knight Rider's KITT
The BSA 650 Thunderbolt from one of the Sean Connery Bond films (Was it Thunderball?)
Mad Max's Interceptor
One of the many Dukes of Hazzard Chargers
The A Team's van
And I few more that escape me
There is very little information displayed in respect of each vehicle, which is an opportunity sadly missed, given the fascinating histories that many of these cars must have.
If you find yourself in Keswick, then I'd recommend a visit.
But it is not really worth a special trip unless you are a complete anorak...
Marki said:Well that scores a 9.8 on my bullshitometer.
had a Merlin engine fitted and in the end it burst into flames as i remember
I presume that you're referring to "The Beast" which was nothing to do with Rolls-Royce (other than the engine), had only 4 wheels, and had absolutely no connection to Thunderbirds.
FourWheelDrift said:
I believe the front wheel steering mechanism was from a coach.
I wonder if it came from a Harrington Legionnaire, same coach that was used on the Italian Job.
From memory the car was built by hot rodder Ed Wimble and did indeed use parts from a coach, though don't know if it was the Harrington.
JonRB said:
had a Merlin engine fitted and in the end it burst into flames as i remember
I presume that you're referring to "The Beast" . . .
Ah, the Dodds car . . . there's a Triumph with a Merlin in: can't find it now . . . it's a recent thread. ;(
smiley and also where is the anorak one when you need it ! 
Balmoral Green said:
The full size car is currently in 'the cars of the stars museum' as has been posted earlier. I saw this thing for real just after it was built, it was on tour and Hooleys Ford at Nottingham had it in the showroom, and I sat in it as a little lad. Proper thing, proper driver too. I believe the front wheel steering mechanism was from a coach. Full story and purchase, restoration saga etc is on the museum website.
It is however a bit home made and pretty crude. I am sure with a big enough wedge and a proper panel beater, something much better and driveable could be done.
I saw it being driven up the M1 when I were a lad, so yes, it was capable of being driven.
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