Solved: PN #784 -- Top Hat Coachworks' Silhouette coupe proposal, 1986

[pnegyesi]

Please identify the builder of this styling buck (which became a car) for a point

[pnegyesi]

Experts?

[pnegyesi]

Professionals?

[oko94]

Made in UK ?

[pnegyesi]

yes

[oko94]

Made between 1985 and 1990 ?

[pnegyesi]

cca 1985-1986

[oko94]

Made by a kit car company ?

[pnegyesi]

at least one of their products was a kit car

[oko94]

Was the final product close or identical to this styling buck or was it quite different ?

[pnegyesi]

I have never seen the final version so I have no idea.

[Djetset]

Any Tony Claydon connection?

[pnegyesi]

I don't think so

[Djetset]

Was this car presented at the Newark Show?

[pnegyesi]

yes

[Djetset]

Did this become the Sintera?

[Djetset]

Ah, cancel my last question as I've just realised what this is.

It's a coupe proposal by Paul de Rome, the boss of the Poulton-Le-Fylde based cabriolet conversion company called Top Hat Coachworks (which choped the top off various cars, including Lada Nivas and Ford Fiestas). This proposed model was set to be called the Silhouette from memory.

[pnegyesi]

Excellent memory! Spot on. I did not know the Silhouette bit.

[Djetset]

Thanks Pal. The Silhouette was planned to use Ford Escort MK III running gear, with a second model also planned, being a mid-engined update of the Avante kit car. However, I don't believe either model actually ever made it into production.