This car is driving me mad
Discussion
This picture was taken in Alton, Hampshire some time in the early sixties. What the hell is the large fastback next to the Mini? It’s not (as a few have suggested) a Lancia Aurelia, as this car is much bigger and the front wing/overhang is wrong. It’s not a VW 1600 Fastback either (wrong front wing/indicator). It’s a very odd prototype because look at the shallow, upright windscreen - very dated by the sixties and most unlikely for a model under development by then.
The simple front bumper and general lack of adornment make it look like a special, but few specials were that big. Nothing American has that little chrome. Could be something from an emerging market - Eastern European? (Though anything that big usually came with lots of decadent western chrome) Turkish?
I’m an anorak-grade car spotter and this one has me stumped. Can anyone show me a picture of the same car that identifies it?
The simple front bumper and general lack of adornment make it look like a special, but few specials were that big. Nothing American has that little chrome. Could be something from an emerging market - Eastern European? (Though anything that big usually came with lots of decadent western chrome) Turkish?
I’m an anorak-grade car spotter and this one has me stumped. Can anyone show me a picture of the same car that identifies it?
nicanary said:
I was thinking Rover P5 prototype, with maybe a mock fastback to disguise it. However, I cannot find any image which matches.
The P5 had been in production for 3 or 4 years by the time this picture was taken. If it’s a prototype, it would have launched in the mid-sixties - but that windscreen is straight out of the fifties…The quest continues…
kimducati said:
Lancia Aurelia??
Not convinced myself!!
kim
eta
Looks likely, but not sure
I don’t think it’s an Aurelia for two reasons: Firstly the Aurelia is quite dainty, whereas this thing is big. Secondly, the front end of an Aurelia is distinctly rear- sloping, whereas this thing has a forward-sloping front end…Not convinced myself!!
kim
eta
Looks likely, but not sure
Edited by kimducati on Wednesday 13th October 14:17
But I can’t find anything closer, unless someone else can…
jamei303 said:
It's not a GAZ-M20 on account of the B-pillar but it has that kinda feel about it.
Is that the Pobeda? I thought it was some version of that too, but I can’t find one that matches. The rear window is quite similar, but that’s all. But it has a slightly ‘emerging market’ feel about it…Sid's Dad said:
Is that the Pobeda? I thought it was some version of that too, but I can’t find one that matches. The rear window is quite similar, but that’s all. But it has a slightly ‘emerging market’ feel about it…
Yes, but there can't be many Eastern Bloc fastbacks. The thing that gets me as far as those are concerned is the apparent vertical straight line between the door panel and front wing. The Borgward had an angle there. The Warszawa looks like the Pobeda from the side. Tatra fastbacks looked more curvy.The back end of it screams early 50s GM, especially the wrap round rear window but the front end lacks the wings and bonnet bulge to be expected from an early 50s car (as you can see the far headlight). More Volvo-ish.
The round arches also eliminate many as do the big side windows (like the Ford Vedette which has thicker frames).
So I am none the wiser, though the 50s were renowned for "specials" and cars cobbled together from other cars.
Shame we can't see the rear side of it.
The round arches also eliminate many as do the big side windows (like the Ford Vedette which has thicker frames).
So I am none the wiser, though the 50s were renowned for "specials" and cars cobbled together from other cars.
Shame we can't see the rear side of it.
LuS1fer said:
The back end of it screams early 50s GM, especially the wrap round rear window but the front end lacks the wings and bonnet bulge to be expected from an early 50s car (as you can see the far headlight). More Volvo-ish.
The round arches also eliminate many as do the big side windows (like the Ford Vedette which has thicker frames).
So I am none the wiser, though the 50s were renowned for "specials" and cars cobbled together from other cars.
Shame we can't see the rear side of it.
It’s an odd bugger, isn’t it? Each part of it looks a bit like something, but put it all together and…nope, me neither.The round arches also eliminate many as do the big side windows (like the Ford Vedette which has thicker frames).
So I am none the wiser, though the 50s were renowned for "specials" and cars cobbled together from other cars.
Shame we can't see the rear side of it.
Hard to tell on this phone, but is there a raised edge where the top of the rear screen either meets the back edge of the roof or the opening ? rear hatch ?
It does look very Lancia like, plus the Mini and Ford Poplar / Anglia are very small cars.
Any idea who took the photo ?
Perhaps there are more photos taken that day ?
A good petrol head friend has lived in Alton for many years, il show it to him.
It does look very Lancia like, plus the Mini and Ford Poplar / Anglia are very small cars.
Any idea who took the photo ?
Perhaps there are more photos taken that day ?
A good petrol head friend has lived in Alton for many years, il show it to him.
Sid's Dad said:
kimducati said:
Lancia Aurelia??
Not convinced myskelf!!
kim
eta
Looks likely, but not sure
I don’t think it’s an Aurelia for two reasons: Firstly the Aurelia is quite dainty, whereas this thing is big. Secondly, the front end of an Aurelia is distinctly rear- sloping, whereas this thing has a forward-sloping front end…Not convinced myskelf!!
kim
eta
Looks likely, but not sure
Edited by kimducati on Wednesday 13th October 14:17
But I can’t find anything closer, unless someone else can…
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