Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT

Carnut · September 15, 2009, 11:58:28 AM

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on September 13, 2009, 08:52:20 AM
Quote from: Arunas on September 13, 2009, 06:56:11 AM
Maybe the country of origin is know at least? Built in USA?

Pretty sure it's in the UK.

See this car is also in your Thumbnailed Solved Puzzles Compendium (P1).
Is that because it's just been solved?
Do all solved puzzles get put on that eventually?
Or is it because it's a re-post?

Otto Puzzell · September 15, 2009, 01:10:26 PM

The goal it to eventually get all solved puzzles on the thumbnail thread. I got started about 3 years too late on that, so there is some catching up to do.

This puzzle, to my knowledge, is not a re-post.

vixengt · May 14, 2011, 06:11:59 PM

Dear members,

As pictures would be more usefull in my search for the history ( racing ) of my Vixen GT 1964, Brittish race car registered in 1964 non licensed. It used to be red but is totally stripped now.
the doors close in the roof ( Ford GT40 style).
It used to have a Lotus Kent 1600 with Rootes blower and a Rover V8 as well.
I found on the net that it was built by Vixen Formula cars. It has Formula suspension.
Any information on this, please mail it to me on didierlisa@telenet.be.

Djetset · May 17, 2011, 04:53:13 PM

Name the car, and gain a point.

barrett · May 17, 2011, 06:47:51 PM

Definitely a repost!

Djetset · May 18, 2011, 05:46:40 PM

Well spotted Barrett. Just found that Otto placed this puzzle in 2006, so perhaps Admin can merge this with his #55 puzzle as mine adds another photo of this British one-off, called the Vixen GT. Thanks.

barrett · May 18, 2011, 05:56:15 PM

As you've probably noticed the current owner of this car is now a member here and has posted some recent photos of it. I know he is looking for more information about the cars construction and history if anyone can help...?

The photo you've posted here was my first exposure to this car and as nothing much seems to have been discovered about it in the 20 years since it was published I've always been mildly fascinated by it...

Djetset · May 18, 2011, 06:03:14 PM

I found it on the 'Letters' page of in an old (1987) Classic & Sportscar magazine, as below, but can't add much more information sadly.

barrett · May 18, 2011, 06:49:38 PM

That's the one! I still remember where and when I bought that issue

I never knew what a Gilby was, or a Pilbeam, and I still don't! I'm sure a it of searching on this site will reveal the answer though!

Allemano · May 18, 2011, 07:03:32 PM

merged.

vixengt · June 16, 2011, 03:15:30 PM

Quote from: Arthur Dent on December 21, 2006, 01:29:00 PM
1964 Vixen GT

Dear Arthur Dent, you knew the answer to no 55 puzzle was Vixen gt 1964: I bought the car 3 months ago.
I know now it was built by Ia

D-type · June 16, 2011, 03:41:38 PM

Quote from: barrett on May 18, 2011, 06:49:38 PM
That's the one! I still remember where and when I bought that issue

I never knew what a Gilby was, or a Pilbeam, and I still don't! I'm sure a it of searching on this site will reveal the answer though!

Gilby was the name given to the cars raced by Keith Greene, the son of Sid Greene who owned Gilby Engineering.
1960 Climax-engined sports car, 1961 FPF 4-cylinder Climax-engined F1 car, 1962 V8 BRM-engined F1 car

Pilbeam were a whole series of hillclimb cars designed and built by Mike Pilbeam. I think they were mainly single seaters. He also ventured into racing with the 1979 MP42 Formula 2 car which became the MP44 Formula 3 car followed by the MP51 Formula 3 car in 1981. Mike Pilbeam also designed and sometimes built cars for others

vixengt · January 20, 2012, 09:05:49 AM

Dear Arthur and forum friends, the Vixen gt was built by Ian Stronach, Britisch Formula 3, Libre, and F5000 pilot in the seventies, as a road-race car for his personal use. He wanted a low line race car for the road . He bought a Cooper Jaguar front from John Cooper at Thames Ditton and started his daring project. The aluminium body is built around a lightweight space frame with formula suspension. It must have been the first car ever with an integrated rear spoiler ever. His design is from 1962, long before the first Kamm-tail. The car disappeared for more than 35 years. I bought it in april 2011in a French mountain village and I am restoring it in cooperation with Ian himself. It used to have a Grand prix Rootes 1600 engine with blower and now I am fitting a Buick/Roover 3.9 V8. As soon as it will be ready, I will return it to England and I will hand it over to Ian for a test drive after 50 years. Isn't that a great project? This car will be seen on classic events, I promise! Vixen gt

Carnut · January 25, 2012, 09:28:51 AM

That's fascinating vixengt, especially for me for one reason: the guy I bought my TVR Trident from (in pieces) was named Ian Stronach. That was in 1986 and at the time I would say he was perhaps 50 years old. He had a very large garage full of cars that he had either built or restored, including an Autovia and a racing Riley that he had made himself, but he felt the 1960s was not an era he was much interested in so couldn't summon up the enthusiasm to restore the TVR and moved it on. He lived near Manchester.

I wonder if this would be the same Ian Stronach. I promised him I would take my car to show him once it was rebuilt, but when I went round to his house he had moved on and I've never heard of him since.

Any info would be welcome!

barrett · March 06, 2013, 07:52:41 AM

Currently on display at the Antwerp Classic Salon, looks like the resto is progressing nicely! I hope Didier will keep us updated with the progress

Carnut · June 09, 2014, 11:00:52 AM

Here's what this car looks like right now.
Hopefully will be finished early next year.

Otto Puzzell · June 09, 2014, 11:35:26 AM

Nice!

dzima1985 · August 15, 2015, 10:55:38 AM

Сompletely restored Vixen GT at the Antwerp Classic Salon 2015

Carnut · August 15, 2015, 02:23:01 PM

Fantastic!

The caar's builder, Ian Stronach, is the same person I bought my TVR Trident from.
I've since been in touch with him and he's moved to North Wales to be nearer his family.

He used to race his Vixen in period with quite some success and is still involved in restoring various cars!

Allemano · October 16, 2019, 06:48:34 AM

Think this is an enjoyable video. (sub titles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6I7mqAnF2s

What a great car!

Carnut · October 16, 2019, 06:52:38 AM

It was at the Goodwood Revival in 2017, where I met its new owner and restorer and even sat in the car!
It did a short demonstration run but didn't take part in any particular race or event.
But I also spoke with Ian Stronach about it. That event was the first time he'd seen my TVR Trident (which was also present there) since he sold me it back in 1986.

Allemano · October 16, 2019, 07:37:45 AM

Quote from: Carnut on October 16, 2019, 06:52:38 AM
It was at the Goodwood Revival in 2017, where I met its new owner and restorer and even sat in the car!
It did a short demonstration run but didn't take part in any particular race or event.
But I also spoke with Ian Stronach about it. That event was the first time he'd seen my TVR Trident (which was also present there) since he sold me it back in 1986.

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Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT