Solved - NEH 3408: AJS-Jensen prototype London Show car 1932 - "The Chamberlain Special"

[Carnut]

No, it wasn't connected to the AJS 12.
It was based on the AJS 9 but as said it was the ******* Special, and that's the name I'm looking for.

[nicanary]

Is the missing word a surname or a generic word?

[Carnut]

Is the missing word a surname or a generic word?

It's a surname.

[nicanary]

I can't believe the name you're looking for is Jensen, or you would have said so. Maybe it's the name of the staff member at AJS who came up with the idea, but I can't find a thing.

Is it as simple as "Stevens Special" ?

[Carnut]

I can't believe the name you're looking for is Jensen, or you would have said so. Maybe it's the name of the staff member at AJS who came up with the idea, but I can't find a thing.

Is it as simple as "Stevens Special" ?

It is as simple as that, yes (though not, of course, Jensen - or Stevens!).
I have no idea what the person with that name's connection is with the car but it's mentioned in 2 sources I have so I believe it is right.
The info is out there on the 'Net!

[nicanary]

I can't believe the name you're looking for is Jensen, or you would have said so. Maybe it's the name of the staff member at AJS who came up with the idea, but I can't find a thing.

Is it as simple as "Stevens Special" ?

It is as simple as that, yes (though not, of course, Jensen - or Stevens!).
I have no idea what the person with that name's connection is with the car but it's mentioned in 2 sources I have so I believe it is right.
The info is out there on the 'Net!

Easy for you to say! I can't find it. 

[4popoid]

Smiths Special?

[Carnut]

Smiths Special?

Good try but nowhere near!

[nicanary]

The designer of the AJS 9hp was A.G.Booth. Anything to do with him , like the Booth Special ?

[Carnut]

The designer of the AJS 9hp was A.G.Booth. Anything to do with him , like the Booth Special ?

Not Booth, no.

[4popoid]

Patrick Special?

[Carnut]

Patrick Special?

Nope..

[4popoid]

 Bournbrook Special?

[Carnut]

Bournbrook Special?

No..

[4popoid]

Edgbaston Special?

[Carnut]

Edgbaston Special?

No!  I've heard of anyone called Edgbaston, although I have been there!

[4popoid]

Lucas Special?

[Carnut]

Lucas Special?

Still not...

[nicanary]

I've actually found a website with your puzzle photo on it, together with other period images. I can tell you the registration of the car - OJ59, and I can tell you who is presently restoring the car - Peter Hubbard, who has devoted a Facebook site to the car. However, much to my frustration, nowhere on his comments does he mention the car other than as an AJS 9hp built for the 1932 London Motor Show.

I know that AJS were made bankrupt in 1931, and after that production of the cars limped on under the new "owners" Willys-Overland-Crossley, who tried to relaunch the marque with Crossley Torquay bodies. Is the car named after any of these marques?

[4popoid]

Vernon Special?

[Carnut]

Sorry 4popoid, it's not the Vernon Special either.

Well found nicanary, but that site is about the restoration rather than the car's history and as you say it doesn't mention any other name for it.
But the car also appears on another website with more about its history as well as the restoration, and I believe the name is mentioned there.

I say I believe because I'm sure I saw it there, but my picture didn't come off the 'Net; it came from a magazine and there is a write-up about the car's history and this name is very clearly mentioned there.  I seem to recall I was pleased to see it on the 'Net as well because that meant it was mentioned in 2 sources and was therefore more likely to be right.

So, keep looking!

[nicanary]

Enquiries are under way.... watch this space. I see that it was fitted with a 1500cc Anzani engine in 1934, which would have increased performance no end, but quite rightly the restorer is refitting the correct period motor.

Those small cars bodied by the Jensen brothers all look the same - they weren't very imaginative, were they?

[nicanary]

My patience paid off, I hope. I've finally heard from my source, and according to them, it's the Chamberlain Special. I have no idea why.

(Carnut, they've provided 4 sources of information if you want them.)

[Carnut]

My patience paid off, I hope. I've finally heard from my source, and according to them, it's the Chamberlain Special. I have no idea why.

Indeed it did!  I can't imagine why it's called that either; can't any of your sources say?

(Carnut, they've provided 4 sources of information if you want them.)

Yes, I'd be interested to see them; could you PM me with them please?


So your patience is rewarded with a whole point! Well done.

[nicanary]

PM sent.