Solved - Whatisthiscar#22 Ogle Mini

[neilshouse]

An old photo.

I'm not 100% what it is (and who is driving) but I've a pretty good idea, it would be great to get a definite identification.

Thank you for looking and good luck with your guesses.

[neilshouse]

To the Experts expertise.

[richard cuyler]

It looks as though it may be a manufacturer's 'mule', a crude construction made specifically to test component/s, engine, suspension, brakes, etc. This one looks a if it may have front-wheel-drive and independent rear suspension, but despite a lengthy inspection of the photo, I can't work out which manufacturer would have built it. The air filter housing, though, looks a bit BMC-ish......

The bloke driving, however, looks very familiar and of course I'll know who he is the second I read the correct answer.

[neilshouse]

It's not a mule, more a stage of production. You are correct about the front wheel drive, the independent suspension and the BMC connection (a great identification from an air filter I must add).

The bloke driving is someone who's name is known to everyone on Autopuzzles.

[richard cuyler]

Is it the basis for the Mini Moke?

[neilshouse]

Not the Moke, but there is a very strong Mini connection.

[Allan L]

Thought I recognised the fuel tank!

[tobytwirl]

Anything to do with the mini beach car?

[neilshouse]

No, not a beach car.

[Rusty Chrome]

Is it the foundations for a SHADO Jeep?

[neilshouse]

It's the foundations of something, but not the SHADO Jeep.

[tobytwirl]

zagato mini?

[neilshouse]

No Zagato connection.

[richard cuyler]

Hydrolastic Mini?

[neilshouse]

I think it has rubber springs like the first and the last of the proper Minis.

[Oswald]

It's David Ogle, isn't it?

[neilshouse]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's David Ogle in the picture. Locked for you to complete the puzzle.

[Oswald]

Same here. And the car fits the frame, too, as this certainly appear to be the underpinnings for the Ogle SX1000 (named Ogle Mini at the time).
Where did you get the picture? I have never seen it before.

[neilshouse]

It does appear to be the underpinnings of the Ogle Mini, in fact I don't think there's anything else it could be.

One point to you Oswald.

I was given the picture a while back by someone who worked on the development of the car.

[Allan L]

As someone who had two Ogle cars, one of which was an Ogle-Mini, and lives in Letchworth where David Ogle's firm was I feel I should have been able to solve this one.
I never met Ogle himself, but did know some of his people. Once the Ogle Mini had its body on it was not possible to take it off or I would have done that as my example needed a good bit of work. My car had a big fuel tank across the back with a filler in the centre just under the window and all the others I saw had the same filler location. The one in the picture which has the standard Mini tank must be the first to be built.
This is mine - sorry about the picture quality:

[neilshouse]

Interesting, thanks Allan, so it seems the puzzle photo was of Ogle Mini No. 1, the prototype maybe?