SOLVED: WTH # 180 - Mercedes-Benz 450SLC Condor by Crayford

[sixtee5cuda]

For one point, provide the model name and coachbuilder of this unusual car.

[sixtee5cuda]

Up! 

Time for the Experts to figure this one out.

[morphly]

Mercedes 450 SLC Condor by Crayford

[sixtee5cuda]

And the point goes to Morphly for the correct answer.

There is a puzzle on here claiming to be the Crayford Condor.  The Condor was an SL, not the S-class wagon in the other puzzle.

As I understand it, the Crayford Condor was in an accident after the initial show appearance.  It was rebuilt, with a different look:

[sixtee5cuda]

I found additional information.

The Triplex glass company made a total of 3 copies of the glass hatch for the Condor.  Crayford was charged £10,000 total for 2, and Triplex kept the third.

When the owner of the Condor crashed it and broke the hatch, Crayford repaired the car, and placed their only remaining hatch on the car.  When the car was crashed again, Crayford rebuilt the car as a fastback.

Triplex did make use of their Condor hatch, they put it on this:

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=1094.msg10076#msg10076

A better picture of the car in hatchback form:

[Wendax]

A better picture of the car in hatchback form:

What a career for a Vauxhall Cavalier / Opel Ascona hatch. 

[grobmotorix]

A Crayford photo of the original version: