AutoPuzzles - The Internet's Museum of Rare Cars!
Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: Carnut on July 14, 2011, 11:45:54 AM
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Identify this car and from when it dates (approximately) for 1 point:
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Experts?
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I know at least 1 Pro who knows the answer to this one...
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I thinks it's a Swiss-made BMW 328 built by one individual, but I'm temporarily away from my sources...
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I thinks it's a Swiss-made BMW 328 built by one individual, but I'm temporarily away from my sources...
It's neither a BMW nor Swiss-made!
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I know at least 1 Pro who knows the answer to this one...
If you'll tell me which one, perhaps I can trick him into telling me. >:D
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I thinks it's a Swiss-made BMW 328 built by one individual, but I'm temporarily away from my sources...
False alarm! 8)
I have found the car I meant, which has a strong resemblance to your puzzle car...
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I know at least 1 Pro who knows the answer to this one...
If you'll tell me which one, perhaps I can trick him into telling me. >:D
I'll give you a clue: it's not Allemano!
That narrows the field down a bit...
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GDR self-built car?
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EMW?
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EMW?
No..
GDR self-built car?
..and no
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Not sure if I recognise this car......
Is it British?
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I don't suppose there is a Jowett under there?
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Not sure if I recognise this car......
Is it British?
Yes, it is British
I don't suppose there is a Jowett under there?
but it has no Jowett connection.
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Morris?
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Morris?
Only the grille!
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I thought that might be a red herring!
Is it based on a 1930s car?
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I thought that might be a red herring!
Is it based on a 1930s car?
Basically no, although it's possible there might be a pre-war part or two in it.
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Buckler?
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Buckler?
No.
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Harry Pratt designed and built his own car in the 1950's called the Drome Special.
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Harry Pratt designed and built his own car in the 1950's called the Drome Special.
That's it!
Apparently he built it to publicise his Drome Garage which was in Hulme, Manchester.
It was a 3-seater and used a fully balanced and blueprinted 6 cylinder Vauxhall engine. It had a birdcage-style frame and a hand-rolled aluminium body, and I believe it dated from 1950.
Here is the unmolested puzzle picture together with another photo:
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Here is a period ad for the car in July 1951.
Notice that it was also known as the D.S. Prototype Sports Roadster.
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ambitious construction on a rather sad looking car.
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ambitious construction on a rather sad looking car.
Great find woodinsight! D.S. I suppose stood for "Drome Special".
Apart from the front I thought it looked quite good for a 1950 British effort.
A bit of tidying round the front with a bespoke grille instead of that ubiquitous Morris Minor thing and it maybe had promise.
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and with only ~ 700 kg it was pretty quick I guess.
Apart from the front I thought it looked quite good for a 1950 British effort.
Unfortunately the front is the face of the car and this one looks rather dull. I agree the overall proportions are not to blame..
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I'd agree it's quite a good effort considering it was 1950.
The very low position of the headlights and the radiator grille don't help unfortunately.
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I'd agree it's quite a good effort considering it was 1950.
The very low position of the headlights and the radiator grille don't help unfortunately.
At the time they tried to get the lights as low as possible so they looked as sporty as possible. The legislators soon put a stop to that, however, which is why lights moved back up to the top of the wings again (or for the first time in many cases, e.g. the Morris Minor!)