Puzzle #16 - Solved! The Very First NOTA - Named Arnold.

Otto Puzzell · August 01, 2006, 04:08:35 AM

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Know what it is?

Please, respond below and let us know what make and model you think you see here.

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Thanks!

Stephen M · August 01, 2006, 11:56:09 AM

That's the most British-looking thing I've ever seen. It was apparently even photographed in the rain.

Otto Puzzell · August 02, 2006, 03:35:35 AM

It is British, though subsequent cars from this man's workshop were not.

lynxd67 · August 11, 2006, 02:17:08 AM

Hmmm - british but not British huh! AC perhaps?

Otto Puzzell · August 11, 2006, 04:17:36 AM

Not an AC.

D-type · August 15, 2006, 02:33:33 PM

It has Ford wheels so is it a Dellow?

Otto Puzzell · August 16, 2006, 04:21:08 AM

No, not a Dellow.

Welcome, D-type, to AutoPuzzles!

NOTA · August 16, 2006, 08:38:09 AM

Think it is a NOTA maybe the first. Built in UK 1952 by Guy Buckingham named 'Arnold' - based on Austin Seven but with a space frame

Otto Puzzell · August 16, 2006, 09:52:59 AM

Welcome, Nota!

You are correct

Jagman · August 16, 2006, 10:39:11 AM

Hey, KU. when we have a fairly obscure car like this, after it's been solved, can you put up a bit more info about the car and it's manufacturer?

Otto Puzzell · August 16, 2006, 01:31:48 PM

I will do so, for this and the other recently solved Super-obscure cars.

Jagman · August 16, 2006, 11:47:10 PM

Great, thanks!

Otto Puzzell · August 17, 2006, 06:16:12 AM

Nota was founded by Guy Buckingham, an Englishman by birth. Guy's first introduction to things mechanical was at a much smaller level. The family business was in jewellery with a special emphasis of timepieces and clocks. To this day Guy Buckingham remains a member of the Royal Horological Society. Guy was suitably trained in the family business and went to work maintaining customers' clocks. World War Two intervened, which saw him in the Royal Air Force working in aircraft maintenance.

The RAF recognised Guy's talents and he was sent to study aeronautical engineering, a knowledge that he was to be put to very good use in the years to come.

War's end saw Guy back in the family business, but like so many ex-servicemen he had developed a liking for motoring. With England in such austere circumstance after the war and cars in short supply Guy became involved in the construction of a couple of cars during the 1940s.

However, Guy was determined to make his mark in the automotive industry and by early 1952 he had completed his very first car, christened the Arnold (our mystery car). Like many such post WW2 cars it was Austin 7 based and styled very much on the mud-plugger type of vehicle favoured for the English style trials so popular during the era.

Guy's determination to make his life in the automotive industry caused the inevitable friction in the family. So to achieve his chosen path in life he moved to Australia. Luckily there was already an uncle living in Sydney who worked as a specialist repairer of Jaguar and Rover vehicles and so the young Guy found ready employment in his new abode. The uncle also had a Shell outlet in the Sydney suburb of Summer Hill with a large workshop attached. So it didn't take long for Guy to set up shop and the first Australian built Nota rolled out the door in 1955.

What's in a Name? We often reflect on the origins of names and the Nota name is no different. However, while it would be nice to say that the name has its roots in some tale of derring-do, it's all rather simple. By this time Guy's son, Christopher, had arrived on the scene and having a father rather involved in the automotive world the term 'motor car' was often used around the home. Young Chris, who features rather heavily in later years, had trouble getting his tongue around the word 'motor' and it kept coming out as 'noter'. Guy liked what he heard and shortened it a little to Nota, and so the name was launched.

Much more information here:

http://www.notasportscars.com/Quin_Article.html

NOTA · August 18, 2006, 06:51:06 AM

We were told that NOTA actually stood for 'No Other Transport Available'
- have to confess Patrick @ TNF had the answer before me.

Ultra · October 20, 2006, 01:34:47 PM

Quote from: NOTA on August 18, 2006, 06:51:06 AM
We were told that NOTA actually stood for 'No Other Transport Available'
- have to confess Patrick @ TNF had the answer before me.

Perhaps we should invite Patrick to AutoPuzzles.com.

MRL33B · April 21, 2010, 11:16:34 AM

Hi there guy's

This car was purposely built by Guy in the early 50's in the yard of the family jewellery shop in Witney, Oxfordshire to take part in the Oxford University Car Club rally ~ Targa Rusticana.

It originally had a J Type MG overhead Cam engine. But when the car was found in a scrap yard in the 80's unfortunately this engine was missing.

It was restored in the 90's and then sold on to someone in Ireland

It featured on an episode of Top Gear with Michelle Newman giving a review and saying she felt like toad from toad hall in a lovely old car with a horn that goes HONK.

Paul Jaray · April 21, 2010, 11:29:27 AM

Hi Mrl33b,

welcome to autopuzzles!
Thanks for the additional info, but don't forget to take a look around...
(BTW, there should be others Nota...)

News:

Puzzle #16 - Solved! The Very First NOTA - Named Arnold.