Another mystery car
Discussion
Looking through some old car magazines today with the slim hope that I might find a clue to the mystery car but no luck of course..
Did find this though in a copy of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars from Jan 1981,
Not something I recognised so googled the registration which quickly led to this PH thread started in 2014.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sorry for the thread diversion but an interesting read for anyone that's not already in the know!
Did find this though in a copy of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars from Jan 1981,
Not something I recognised so googled the registration which quickly led to this PH thread started in 2014.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sorry for the thread diversion but an interesting read for anyone that's not already in the know!
It looks like the very early production TVR models had a longer wheelbase than the Grantura models.
The 1960 Grantura had an 84" wheelbase, the Sports Saloon (above) 90".
Neither of these fits with the mystery car wheelbase as calculated from the size of the wheel discs, which is about 78".
For what its worth, I am astonished at the negative comments on Borrani72.
I do not know this poster, nor have had any correspondence, but have been impressed from the beginning with a very intelligent, factual, quantitative review of the possible car.
Anyway, the level of research has enriched this post immeasurably.
I do not know this poster, nor have had any correspondence, but have been impressed from the beginning with a very intelligent, factual, quantitative review of the possible car.
Anyway, the level of research has enriched this post immeasurably.
"Predictable. Borrani72, Pistonheads very own cartoonist in residence, pipes up with a long winded and inaccurate post. What is your problem B72? Your entire investment in this thread has been calling up an eBay wheel disc seller to ask dimensions. On the otherhand [sic] my investment has been buying physical items, going out to scan real cars and actually creating a CAD model as opposed to copying someone else's work and trying to look a genius using Sketchup".
Cool!
I love cartoons!
Speaking of which, a friend of mine still drives one of these..........
On a more serious note, however, whose work am I supposed to have copied (apart from trying to accurately recreate the mystery car, that is)?
Cool!
I love cartoons!
Speaking of which, a friend of mine still drives one of these..........
On a more serious note, however, whose work am I supposed to have copied (apart from trying to accurately recreate the mystery car, that is)?
borrani72, _Sorted_
Come on guys, don't let a fantastic thread descend into a slanging match.
Both of you have made some really good contributions (particularly _Sorted_ with the cad modelling), and you are both entitled to your opinions whether accurate or not.
A huge percentage of this thread has been based on speculation, and in the past couple of months it has become intensely interesting with both of your contributions.
@borrani72 - your silly cartoons above are the equivalent of throwing your toys out of your cot - there's no need for it.
Enough said.
Come on guys, don't let a fantastic thread descend into a slanging match.
Both of you have made some really good contributions (particularly _Sorted_ with the cad modelling), and you are both entitled to your opinions whether accurate or not.
A huge percentage of this thread has been based on speculation, and in the past couple of months it has become intensely interesting with both of your contributions.
@borrani72 - your silly cartoons above are the equivalent of throwing your toys out of your cot - there's no need for it.
Enough said.
I'm rather sad that this thread occasionally reverts to petty argument. There's no need.
I would like to add that it's going a bit far to say "it's an Alpine" until there is some definitive proof. It could well be true, but I'm not happy until I see documentary evidence.
Ashley must have kept some company records - where are they?
I would like to add that it's going a bit far to say "it's an Alpine" until there is some definitive proof. It could well be true, but I'm not happy until I see documentary evidence.
Ashley must have kept some company records - where are they?
I think it's more likely a connection to someone like Williams and Pritchard. Just an inkling.
As for the Alpine link, I'm not sure I'm seeing some of the stuff that Sorted is now seeing, but as per one of the first posts on this thread, one of the first posts on the forum I initially saw the picture and my own first thought when I saw the picture on that forum before reading what anyone else saw was that I could see Alpine in it, so it's clearly a common thought, but reading what other people have said since and re-looking at the picture hundreds of times I would have since said it was too small.
There is clearly a Rootes link in some way though I'm sure given some of the styling cues and possible components.
I wouldn't dismiss the Alpine connection as it was my very first thought just from looking at the photo and obviously the thoughts of several others, and there are some clear Rootes connections. I don't think, based on solid evidence, that we can see that it's definitely actually Alpine-based.
As for the Alpine link, I'm not sure I'm seeing some of the stuff that Sorted is now seeing, but as per one of the first posts on this thread, one of the first posts on the forum I initially saw the picture and my own first thought when I saw the picture on that forum before reading what anyone else saw was that I could see Alpine in it, so it's clearly a common thought, but reading what other people have said since and re-looking at the picture hundreds of times I would have since said it was too small.
There is clearly a Rootes link in some way though I'm sure given some of the styling cues and possible components.
I wouldn't dismiss the Alpine connection as it was my very first thought just from looking at the photo and obviously the thoughts of several others, and there are some clear Rootes connections. I don't think, based on solid evidence, that we can see that it's definitely actually Alpine-based.
With due respect to _sorted_ and I am very happy to be proved wrong, it just doesn't feel like an Alpine to me. Don't know why, especially as I have no supporting evidence of the kind he's provided to support his argument.
Does anyone know anything about Peels of Kensington? Reason I ask is that they were nearby where this pic was taken (I assume, given their name) and some of the WSM sports cars (e.g. WSM3000) look very similar to the blue car in several respects, and had coachwork by the aforementioned Peels.
Does anyone know anything about Peels of Kensington? Reason I ask is that they were nearby where this pic was taken (I assume, given their name) and some of the WSM sports cars (e.g. WSM3000) look very similar to the blue car in several respects, and had coachwork by the aforementioned Peels.
What I find hard to reconcile with the Alpine suggestion is that if the car was finished in 62, then most likely started in 61, in which case someone took a barely 2 year old car and re-bodied it? I guess perhaps it could have been crash damaged and rebuilt like that.
Further, it would be taking a open top and making a coupe, I'm not sure why you'd do that.
Finally, the Alpine, based on the Husky, was hardly the most dynamic of cars, I've had a series 1 Apline, why would you body a sporty little coupe on that floorpan?
Further, it would be taking a open top and making a coupe, I'm not sure why you'd do that.
Finally, the Alpine, based on the Husky, was hardly the most dynamic of cars, I've had a series 1 Apline, why would you body a sporty little coupe on that floorpan?
Yertis said:
With due respect to _sorted_ and I am very happy to be proved wrong, it just doesn't feel like an Alpine to me. Don't know why, especially as I have no supporting evidence of the kind he's provided to support his argument.
Does anyone know anything about Peels of Kensington? Reason I ask is that they were nearby where this pic was taken (I assume, given their name) and some of the WSM sports cars (e.g. WSM3000) look very similar to the blue car in several respects, and had coachwork by the aforementioned Peels.
Yes there are some striking similarities with some.Does anyone know anything about Peels of Kensington? Reason I ask is that they were nearby where this pic was taken (I assume, given their name) and some of the WSM sports cars (e.g. WSM3000) look very similar to the blue car in several respects, and had coachwork by the aforementioned Peels.
Anyone got this book?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-British-Coachbuilders-1...
Worth trying to contact the author? May be something he could at least give an opinion on if he has great knowledge of people who could have built a one-off.
Or this one maybe?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Specialist-Sports-Cars-Br...
The car could have been around when he was compiling that book. Also written books on TVR and MG.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Specialist-Sports-Cars-Br...
The car could have been around when he was compiling that book. Also written books on TVR and MG.
There are rumours that the shell for first Gilbern, the GT, were made by taking moulds off parts of an Austin A35.
Our mystery car could be a complete fibreglass shell with some of the outline borrowed from a Sunbeam Alpine.
It does look much better finished than my Ashley with those lovely wheel arches so I do suspect its alloy bodied.
One thing that does have me puzzled is how the windows open !!
Still no cigar ....
838HNK said:
,...................
One thing that does have me puzzled is how the windows open !!
Still no cigar ....
That's a common problem with gullwing doors, even more so in this case. There could be an opening panel behind the lady, or it might use the same solution as the Lotus Elite....just take them out!One thing that does have me puzzled is how the windows open !!
Still no cigar ....
Hi there - I am the owner of the of what was the orange car. Sadly only the chassis as previous owner dumped the body due to the poor condition. I bought it of a chap called Henry Tombs at Outibridge in I think 1986 he was into Lotuses and saved this car from a local scrap yard thinking it was something interesting. I good friend of mine told me about the chassis and being an egger young man at the time and went and bought it. Either 86 or 87 April I think Michael Worthington Williams did a small piece in Classic and sports car on it in lost and found section. From this somone contacted me who had been to look at the car before it went to the scrap yard. Thankfully he had taken some pictures hence we know what the body looked like. I think it was loosley attached -- From the pictures I think near the manor lodge due to distinctive turrets which can be seen in the pictures.
Step forward some years latter I had also aquired a Falcon Mk2 shell out of someones garden when buying some engine parts for my E493A Prefect. The falcon shell is for the shorter pop chassis at some point the penny dropped the Falcoln shell had the same wheel base as my special chassis. With a bit of alteration to the chassis the falcoln shell fitted. I kept all the bits to put 100% original in case for a latter date. I keep meeaning to go round Mannor lodge and knock on a few doors but it might be to late with the passing of time.
To confirm the wheels are 15" Hillman Minx early three stud ones I think only like this for a year or so. The brake drums are 10" whereas the standard car were 8". They had springs round the outside as though somone had raced it. The steering Mowog rack and pinion again an early one with proper cast mountings not as latter ones with u bolts. Ball and claw joint on steering columb. Wood rimmed flat aluminium steering wheel ( sadly some one knicked this when garage got broken into) .
Rear brakes lockheed bisector expander with external cylinders , front cyl same as XK 120 , 1/4" brake pipe
Independant twin wishbone front suspension , Rear axel A frame on top, two lower trailing - height adjustable.
Aluminium seat wells virtually a couple of " of the ground
It came with no engine however A series fitted very well and even the propshaft bolts were a match - I used marina enge and box as cheaply available at the time.
I could go on - this mystery has been puzziling me for over 30 years with my main aim of attributing a makers name to such a well engineered chassis.
mbarnett1@talktalk.net
I have a bit of a pipe dream if I get bored to re create the body from the photos. In theoery possible as I made a hardtop from scratch for the Falcoln shell to use a MGA coupe front screen.
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