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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2015 => Topic started by: Carnut on January 19, 2015, 07:25:03 AM

Title: Solved - NEH 3872: Triumph Zest II 1965 prototype for TR6
Post by: Carnut on January 19, 2015, 07:25:03 AM
What's this, from when, who designed it and who built it - for 1 point?:

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Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: datsone on January 19, 2015, 11:28:28 AM
Familiar after the recent Triumph quest - TR4B 6206VC, Michelotti's Zest concept circa 1962.
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on January 19, 2015, 11:37:18 AM
Familiar after the recent Triumph quest - TR4B 6206VC, Michelotti's Zest concept circa 1962.

It's a Triumph of course, but this is the Zest:

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=11589.msg96453#msg96453
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: datsone on January 19, 2015, 12:10:38 PM
Apparently 2 TR prototypes carried the same number plate and only 1 was the Zest exercise - conflicting details out there require a bit more research  :)
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: datsone on January 19, 2015, 01:41:18 PM
In-house product of Triumph's styling studio but still missing crucial details . . .
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on January 20, 2015, 03:59:46 AM
In-house product of Triumph's styling studio but still missing crucial details . . .

Actually it wasn't an in-house design!
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: datsone on January 20, 2015, 11:30:14 AM
Rats - think I'm high-centered! So backtrack to Michelotti design and Vignale build?
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on January 20, 2015, 11:38:10 AM
Rats - think I'm high-centered! So backtrack to Michelotti design and Vignale build?

Michelotti did the pencil-work, yes, but Vignale were only involved at an early stage, not with the finished item..
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on February 09, 2015, 05:23:19 AM
Experts then?
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: mymokke on February 09, 2015, 02:44:48 PM
I believe this is a modified version of the Michelotti designed Zest, by Karmann Ghia from about 1966?
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on February 10, 2015, 04:20:29 AM
I believe this is a modified version of the Michelotti designed Zest, by Karmann Ghia from about 1966?

Yes, you're right, but by Karmann rather than Karmann Ghia...
Locked for you just to say what it was actually known as.
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: mymokke on February 10, 2015, 10:05:48 PM
According to my source, this model was designated "6206 VC (non popup)"  dated December, 30, 1965. Being the predecessor of the TR6.
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on February 11, 2015, 04:23:02 AM
According to my source, this model was designated "6206 VC (non popup)"  dated December, 30, 1965. Being the predecessor of the TR6.

You're so very nearly there.
The site I got the picture from gives it a specific name though, which I am looking for for the point.  I can't actually confirm that was its official name but the site does seem authoritative about it.
There is a clue in the answer you've given as there was an earlier prototype registered 6206 VC but with pop-up headlights..  One thing led to another..
I'll keep it locked for you to have one more go.
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: mymokke on February 12, 2015, 10:37:26 PM
Of the 3 sites on the web that I've found this automobile, they appear to call both the pop-up and non pop-up 6206 VC the ZEST II . One site, however, captions the photo as "L'ultima". Is that the designation you were looking for?
Title: Re: NEH 3872
Post by: Carnut on February 13, 2015, 04:17:28 AM
Of the 3 sites on the web that I've found this automobile, they appear to call both the pop-up and non pop-up 6206 VC the ZEST II . One site, however, captions the photo as "L'ultima". Is that the designation you were looking for?

Yes it is!
The one without pop-up lights is said to be a modification of the original Zest II, but I believe it to be a completely different car as the Zest II with pop-up lights still exists (it was featured in a classic car mag a few years ago).
Neverthless the 1965 version without pop-up lights is said to have been a modification to suit the American market because it seems they were not keen on pop-up lights.  Didn't they eventually outlaw them, leading to the many cars with them being replaced by models without them?

That's solved then and another point for you.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 3872: Triumph Zest II 1965 prototype for TR6
Post by: fyreline on February 13, 2015, 09:18:37 AM
The United States didn't really "outlaw" hidden headlamps . . . they just fell from favor as new technology allowed headlamps to assume sizes, shapes and configurations never possible with the old incandescent lights - which sometimes had to be hidden to conform to the stylists whims. That, and the added weight and complexity of the pop-up mechanisms finally did them in. They simply weren't necessary any more, as the headlamps could now be made part of the exterior styling of the front end no matter what the contours. Witness the C6 and now C7 Corvettes abandoning the feature, for example.

I wondered when someone would pick up on the "Zest II" appellation for the puzzle car. Sometimes the solution is pretty simple, but we don't see it. Another good puzzle.