Solved - MJW #366 - Pope 900cc Coupe 1934

woodinsight · April 23, 2011, 04:05:51 AM

For one point what is the make, year and nationality of this low-slung coupe?

woodinsight · April 26, 2011, 11:34:59 PM

Experts?

woodinsight · May 03, 2011, 02:53:59 AM

Easy for a Pro?

pnegyesi · May 08, 2011, 03:01:30 AM

Spanish?

woodinsight · May 08, 2011, 03:08:15 AM

Not Spanish

Wendax · May 08, 2011, 08:32:32 AM

Austrian?

woodinsight · May 08, 2011, 09:59:11 AM

Not Austrian either

Wendax · May 08, 2011, 11:36:36 AM

But it is from a minor European car producing country?

woodinsight · May 08, 2011, 12:49:45 PM

European yes but major rather than minor.
As a clue, this car was designed by a non-European living in Europe........

Wendax · May 08, 2011, 12:54:05 PM

The looks are rather German than French or Italian or British. Although I can't think of a suiting name, I ask: German?

woodinsight · May 08, 2011, 02:01:04 PM

Not German despite it's appearance......

Wendax · May 08, 2011, 04:00:15 PM

British?

woodinsight · May 08, 2011, 05:37:32 PM

Not British either.....

Allemano · May 09, 2011, 12:54:17 AM

Eastern Europe?

woodinsight · May 09, 2011, 02:33:49 AM

Not Eastern Europe.......from the opposite end.

Here's a clue - the person who designed this car may have been related to a US car manufacturer although this has not been proved.

Wendax · May 09, 2011, 02:38:19 AM

French?

woodinsight · May 09, 2011, 02:45:38 AM

Quote from: Wendax on May 09, 2011, 02:38:19 AM
French?

Yes!
Designed by an American resident in Paris

Wendax · May 09, 2011, 12:27:31 PM

1938 Bertrand?

woodinsight · May 09, 2011, 01:25:44 PM

Not Bertrand and several years before 1938

Paul Jaray · May 10, 2011, 04:59:19 PM

Pope 900cc Coupe from 1934

woodinsight · May 10, 2011, 11:51:35 PM

Quote from: Paul Jaray on May 10, 2011, 04:59:19 PM
Pope 900cc Coupe from 1934

Exactly!

The Pope was as I mentioned earlier designed by an American living in Paris - a Mr. L.A. Pope.
There may have been a connection to the Midland-Pope cars in the USA but that's another story.

Turning back to the car itself, it was unusual in that it was powered by a 900cc ohv narrow-angle V4 engine driving the front wheels via a 4-speed gearbox. Independent front suspension was by transverse spring and a central backbone frame was used.
The complete engine, gearbox and drive unit, including the wheels, could be easily detached.
Mr. Pope was said to be seeking a British firm to take up manufacture but no one did and the car remained a 'one-off' prototype.

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Solved - MJW #366 - Pope 900cc Coupe 1934