Solved - NEH 151: Whitley Enigma - 1999

[Carnut]

Earn a point by identifying this car:

[Carnut]

Movin' on up..

[gilescooperuk]

I think that is an AC Mk5 - an updated version of the cobra that was meant to be built be the original AC company.

[Carnut]

I think that is an AC Mk5 - an updated version of the cobra that was meant to be built be the original AC company.

It's not an AC, although I agree it looks like a Cobra.  It is actually a kit car.
However - embarrassingly I have been unable to find the website again that I took the picture off, so have been unable to verify any of the details I have.  It may well be a Cobra replica, as I believe the name I have for the car to be incorrect.

So I'm going to consign this puzzle to the Black Hole and post some new puzzles instead.  I'll revive it if I find its name again!

Sorry about that Giles!

[gilescooperuk]

Well it looks like a british car which uses a Sierra dashboard for some reason. This would make me think it is a lower cost version.

Quantum did something similar but it isn't one of their models.

[Carnut]

Well it looks like a british car which uses a Sierra dashboard for some reason. This would make me think it is a lower cost version.

Quantum did something similar but it isn't one of their models.

I still can't find the site..  I can PM you with the name I have if you like, as I think it's not the right name, but for that reason I don't think it would help!

[gilescooperuk]

let me have the details and I will see if I can come up with anything for you....

[Paul Jaray]

Is it from  Australia or New Zealand?

[ImpishGrin]

I think I've seen it before, but can't find it now. Is the name something like Whitley or Whitely?

[Carnut]

Is it from  Australia or New Zealand?

I'm afraid I can't say because I've lost it and no amount of unearthing can find it!
I'm sure I'll stumble across it again at some point, when I'll resurrect the puzzle.

[Carnut]

I think I've seen it before, but can't find it now. Is the name something like Whitley or Whitely?

That wasn't the name I had for it at all, but since I had the wrong name you could be right!
When I find it again I'll resurrect the puzzle, maybe in the Pro's section.

[ImpishGrin]

My guess would be it was called Whitley Enigma. But I'm relying on my memory only, I'll be able to check it in around two weeks though, when I come back home.

Of course there's the ossibility that it's a completely different car, as I've seen it from front only

[Carnut]

My guess would be it was called Whitley Enigma. But I'm relying on my memory only, I'll be able to check it in around two weeks though, when I come back home.

Of course there's the ossibility that it's a completely different car, as I've seen it from front only

Well now, the name I had for the car was "Enigma Prototype"!
But since I first found it (and stupidly didn't make a note of the website) I was completely unable to find it again despite endless searching using the name I had!  All I could ever get up was that  mid-engined Enigma hybrid, so I concluded that I must have made a mistake and misread something!

So Impish Grin it looks like you've solved my puzzle therefore I will award you a point and move it to the Solved board.

I'd still like to find that website again so I'll see what I can find under the name you have supplied.

Thanks for your solution.

[woodinsight]

If I may take a moment to update the information on this 'enigma'.....

The car was built by Whitley Sports Cars of Great Yeldham, Essex in 1999. The man behind it was Ian McDonald, a classic car restorer. Apparently 2 were built but only made one appearance at the Stoneleigh Show in 1999 in unfinished condition.
Technically the car was quite sophisticated with a spaceframe chassis and unmodified MacPherson strut rear end plus other Ford Sierra parts.
The Enigma had a Cobra-inspired rear section that could be unbolted to allow an alternative coupe body to be fitted.
A front view of the car appears in Steve Hole's A-Z of Kitcars book.

[Wendax]

Using the evil GSI tool leads to a site with this front view:

[Otto Puzzell]

You sure that's not the very similar Genericar?