SOLVED: Djetset 711 - Chris Humberstone design proposal for the AC 428-based H.R Saluki

[Djetset]

I think this one is very tough and likely to ultimately reside in the Black Hole for some time, so straight into the Pros section initially, although everyone is naturally very welcome to try and answer the following:

So, who designed this car, who was it designed for, what was its planned model name, and what mechanical base was it intended to use?  Oh, and it was a serious design proposal!  Have fun...

[oko94]

Proposal for a Fiat sportscar made by an Italian designer ?

[Djetset]

Proposal for a Fiat sportscar made by an Italian designer ?

Sorry, but no to each question you've asked.

[oko94]

Design proposal for Matra Bagheera ?

[Djetset]

Design proposal for Matra Bagheera ?

I like your thinking, but no Matra connection here I'm afraid.

[Carnut]

Looks very much like the Owen Sedanca and the Savannah too.
Anything to do with Chris Humberstone?

[Djetset]

Looks very much like the Owen Sedanca and the Savannah too.
Anything to do with Chris Humberstone?

Ah ha, I thought you might spot the Chris Humberstone style, as this is one his designs, although not for the Sedanca nor the Savanah.  So, now locked to you until your next reply to tell me who he designed this one for, plus its name, base, etc.  Good luck 

[Carnut]

Thanks but information is somewhat sparse out there..
If it's not his Imp-engined 408 then is it Alfasud-based?

[Djetset]

Thanks but information is somewhat sparse out there..
If it's not his Imp-engined 408 then is it Alfasud-based?

Sorry, but it's neither Imp nor Alfasud based.

[Carnut]

Designed for a British manufacturer?

[Djetset]

Designed for a British manufacturer?

Designed for a British company, but not really a manufacturer.

[Carnut]

Small company like AC or a kit-car manufacturer?

[oko94]

Is this puzzle still locked ?

[Carnut]

Looks very much like the Owen Sedanca and the Savannah too.
Anything to do with Chris Humberstone?

As an aside the Owen Sedanca will be featured on Quentin Willson's Channel 5 Classic Cars show on Thursday 16th April.

[Carnut]

Small company like AC or a kit-car manufacturer?

Forget the above question!
I think it might be Humberstone's Quartette, described as a full 4-seater with a mid-mounted motor within very compact dimensions, which he did for IBCAM who displayed a model of it on their stand at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1970.  I haven't been able to find a picture of the Quartette, but the position of the front seats in the drawing suggests that there are another 2 seats and possibly an engine behind it.

[Paul Jaray]

aside again: Giugiaro's sketches fot the Alfetta GT from 1967.

[Djetset]

Thanks for the interesting Alfa drawings PJ; the likeness of the Humberstone design is uncanny!

Carnut, please forgive the slow reply, but I've been overseas for the past week and struggling to get any decent WiFi. 

This design was not planned for a kit car company, nor a 'conventional' manufacturer, although you have hit on something with your (informed or wild guess) mention of AC.  This car was not planned for AC, but...  It is not Humberstone's Quartette, but conceptually very close in thinking to that stillborn project.   I hope this helps.

I will lock this again for you now Carnut to finish the puzzle off with the planned mechanical base, and the car's model name.

[Carnut]

Thanks Djetset.
So is it something to do with the Bohanna-Stables Diablo that morphed into the AC 3000ME?
That was based on Austin Maxi mechanicals if my memory serves me well!

[Djetset]

Thanks Djetset.
So is it something to do with the Bohanna-Stables Diablo that morphed into the AC 3000ME?
That was based on Austin Maxi mechanicals if my memory serves me well!

No Bohanna-Stables connection here I'm afraid, but you are right in that their Diablo prototype did (eventually) evolve into the AC 3000 ME.  As an extra clue, this Humberstone machine was also planned to be mid-engined, like the 3000 ME.  So, any more ideas...

[Carnut]

Since I can find absolute zilch out about this car I'm reaching the conclusion the answer is not on the Internet?

Was it originally done for Bob Jankel?

[Djetset]

I think this is the world debut of this car, as I took a photo of the original drawing which has never been seen in public before, until now, so nothing on-line at all!

Oh, andf sorry, but it's not for Mr Jankel.

[Carnut]

I think this is the world debut of this car, as I took a photo of the original drawing which has never been seen in public before, until now, so nothing on-line at all!

Oh, andf sorry, but it's not for Mr Jankel.

No problem, I've only wasted about 100 hours searching the web for it or mention of it!!
Was it for someone who had a previous connection with Chris Humberstone then, like Rapport, or perhaps for Glenfrome?

Did you see the C4 feature about Humberstone's Owen Sedanca last night?  Plenty of the usual tosh of course, but it was nice to see it featured, even if they didn't even open the bonnet...  They kept saying it was "the only one" even after admitting two more were made after this one!  Ah, but this was the pre-production prototype they said!  No, it was originally a one-off then two more were made.

They were busy saying how the Sedanca influenced other cars as well, for instance they pointed out the rear side window which was very similar in shape to the Lamborghini Espada and clearly influenced the Espada's design in that and other areas (they said).  Not quite sure how they work that one out when the Espada dates from 1967/8 whilst the Sedanca didn't appear until 1973..  God save us from the "Experts" on TV...!

The car featured actually belonged to a friend of mine between 1996 and 2002.  It was originally white when shown at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1973 but was re-sprayed in gold when shown again in 1976; it's still gold.  My friend sold it because it needed a lot of money spent on it.  Most people assumed it was an Italian exotic and quickly lost interest in it when he explained it was just a rebodied XJ6...

[WayneB]

Not sure how it would be even possible to solve this particular puzzle then If only the drawings creator (Chris Humberstone who is dead)and the puzzle's poster know of its existence.

[WayneB]

I think this is the world debut of this car, as I took a photo of the original drawing which has never been seen in public before, until now, so nothing on-line at all!

Oh, andf sorry, but it's not for Mr Jankel.

No problem, I've only wasted about 100 hours searching the web for it or mention of it!!
Was it for someone who had a previous connection with Chris Humberstone then, like Rapport, or perhaps for Glenfrome?

Did you see the C4 feature about Humberstone's Owen Sedanca last night?  Plenty of the usual tosh of course, but it was nice to see it featured, even if they didn't even open the bonnet...  They kept saying it was "the only one" even after admitting two more were made after this one!  Ah, but this was the pre-production prototype they said!  No, it was originally a one-off then two more were made.

They were busy saying how the Sedanca influenced other cars as well, for instance they pointed out the rear side window which was very similar in shape to the Lamborghini Espada and clearly influenced the Espada's design in that and other areas (they said).  Not quite sure how they work that one out when the Espada dates from 1967/8 whilst the Sedanca didn't appear until 1973..  God save us from the "Experts" on TV...!

The car featured actually belonged to a friend of mine between 1996 and 2002.  It was originally white when shown at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1973 but was re-sprayed in gold when shown again in 1976; it's still gold.  My friend sold it because it needed a lot of money spent on it.  Most people assumed it was an Italian exotic and quickly lost interest in it when he explained it was just a rebodied XJ6...

Bertone's Pirana  design was modified to become the Espada, so technically I guess the Sedanca's roots come from that design.

[Carnut]

Was it for someone who had a previous connection with Chris Humberstone then, like Rapport, or perhaps for Glenfrome?