Identify this car, who built it and when - for 1 point:
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Experts?
Professionals?
Is this a one-off?
Quote from: Djetset on September 07, 2015, 01:35:30 PM
Is this a one-off?
There was only one like this but it was based on a car of which there were a few.
Quote from: Carnut on September 07, 2015, 02:44:15 PM
Quote from: Djetset on September 07, 2015, 01:35:30 PM
Is this a one-off?
There was only one like this but it was based on a car of which there were a few.
I thought that might be the case! So, it is Lotus Eleven-based?
Yes it is, so this is locked for you to complete the other details.
Thanks for the lock Carnut.
Basically the origins of the conversion of this Series 2 Lotus Eleven to a gullwing GT coupe are something of a mystery, as Frank Costin was rumoured to be involved in the bodywork, but when interviewed about it some years ago, he denied all knowledge of it!
It seems the gullwing GT was converted in the early 1960s by the apprentices at the de Havilland aircraft construction school at Hatfield, using many Williams and Pritchard parts. The car was ultimately left outside under a tarpaulin at de Havilland's where it was gradually robbed of its parts, including the engine and bonnet!
That's about the long and the short of it, yes.
There seems to be no knowledge about it prior to 1964 and when Rod Leach (of AC Cobra dealership 'Nostalgia' fame) acquired it the bonnet was missing and the car didn't work at all. He had it rebuilt but it was almost a back to square one job..
Here are a couple more pictures of it: