Solved - NEH 1356: Reliant FW7 prototype - 1969

[wingroad]

Is it  from a mainstream manufacturer ?

[Carnut]

Is it  from a mainstream manufacturer ?

Not a big one but well-known nevertheless; not an obscure one!

[spider]

Matra murena ?

[Allemano]

I don't believe it takes two more hurdles... 

[Carnut]

Matra murena ?

Not that, no.

I don't believe it takes two more hurdles...  

It's going to take at least one, because it's actually overdue for a move to the Experts.
I left it to encourage newbie wingroad to keep trying since he's tried so hard already but I think he's given up now!
So up a notch it goes..
Of course there's nothing to stop wingroad and any Rookie continuing to try on the Experts board, except that it might be there any more for them to do so..!

[mymokke]

South American?

[Carnut]

South American?

No!

[wingroad]

I am still trying Carnut,just I cannot place it.Its starting to bug me,like a dog with a bone.
Heuliez design perchance.

[Carnut]

I am still trying Carnut,just I cannot place it.Its starting to bug me,like a dog with a bone.
Heuliez design perchance.

Sorry, no - not Heuliez!
Keep trying though!

[wingroad]

Odd thought Saab Sonnett?

[Carnut]

Odd thought Saab Sonnett?

No Saab connection!

[wingroad]

TVR Tasmin?

[Carnut]

TVR Tasmin?

Nothing to do with TVR!

[Julien1A]

AC?

[Carnut]

AC?

Not an AC.

[darkface]

I found this. It's Reliant FW7 from 1969  

[Carnut]

Yes, indeed, it's the Reliant FW7 prototype.
It pre-dated the Fiat X 1/9 by a number years.
Unfortunately Reliant developed it with their 750 cc from the Regal, but then decided (undoubtedly correctly) that a car looking as sporty as this would never sell with such a puny engine, so it was canned..

[barrett]

I may be wrong but I seem to remember this was a Tom Karen/ Ogle design. Can someone confirm?

[Carnut]

I may be wrong but I seem to remember this was a Tom Karen/ Ogle design. Can someone confirm?

Can't find any mention of the name in connection with this, but I would say it's probably quite likely.

Here's an original sketch:

[Djetset]

Yup, this one is definitely the work of Tom Karen at Ogle Design.  Don't have proof to hand, but I recall this artists impression in an old Ogle corporate brochure from the mid-1970s.  If I find it, I will scan it in.