Solved - MJW #068 - Kinloch-Climax 1956

[woodinsight]

Perhaps a bit more difficult?
Make, engine and year for a point.
Apologies for the poor image.

[woodinsight]

I inadvertently left the registration number visible in the photograph, therefore making it easy to identify the car.
In order to be awarded a point it will also be necessary to tell me where this sports racer was built.
Moving up to the experts now to have a guess.

[barrett]

Not that easy.....!
It seems unlikely, but could the be another Buckler-chassied car?

[woodinsight]

It's possible but my source only tells me it was built on "a light tubular chassis"

[woodinsight]

Moving up to the next level
Don't forget I need to know where it was built for the point

[Allan L]

I think this might be an 1100cc Climax-engined car called a Kinloch, which therefore might have been made in Kinloch, Perthshire about 1955.
Or one of the many Kinlochsomethings elsewhere in Scotland.

[woodinsight]

That's the car Allan - not from Scotland but from very close to your home!

[faksta]

I have tried to find something about this quite smart looking car, but nothing yet... Will be interested to know its story.

[Allan L]

That's the car Allan - not from Scotland but from very close to your home!

Well Middlesex, where the registration number is from, is a bit nearer, but I can't say I remember it.

[woodinsight]

Not Middlesex - closer to you than that!

[woodinsight]

Allan, I'm awarding the point to you as you obviously guessed the car correctly.
As far as I can tell it was built in Hadley Wood, Herts. in 1956.
It was completed to a high standard with a new 1100cc Climax engine, TC gearbox, Lister front and Lotus De Dion rear with Alfin brakes. Chassis was light tubular and the body was glass fibre painted BRG.
It was also equipped with an Austin-Healey screen and hood for touring. (see photo below)
"Marriage forces immediate sale" was the reason given for selling the car just after it had been finished.

[Tom_I]

It's easy enough to identify this car from its registration number, but any further information seems very elusive.

According to the DVLA website, the car was first registered on 16 July 1955.

It also appears that the car is still licensed and on the road. I wonder where it's lurking - I certainly haven't been able to find any recent photos of it online.

[Allan L]

Hadley Wood is part of a London borough these days! Bit of to and fro with the Hertfordshire/London/Middlesex boundaries over the years confuses the easily confused.
As Tom says, the date of registration is 1955.
Interesting that it could use Lister front and Lotus rear at that time, as these parts would have had to be bought new, I'd say.
PS thanks for the point, but I don't really need it! I already have enough to keep me from answering most of what I know here.

[woodinsight]

Yes, I know what you mean Allan!
I'm surprised that the car may still be licensed and on the road.
I haven't heard anything about it since the advert appeared in Autosport all those years ago.
I'll ask some of my racing colleagues in the UK if they know anything.

and thanks Tom for pointing out how easy it is to trace a UK registration number.
Perhaps it's just as well I forgot to delete it in the first place!

[nicanary]

What was this car called, and what is the base vehicle?

[markb]

Almost looks like a Microplast Stiletto on an Austin Seven, but it looks like 4, not 3 lugnuts.

[nicanary]

Almost looks like a Microplast Stiletto on an Austin Seven, but it looks like 4, not 3 lugnuts.

You're not the first person to think along those lines, but that's not what it is.

[nicanary]

Experts?

[tobytwirl]

Those wheels look Elva, which surely means there is no connection!

[nicanary]

Those wheels look Elva, which surely means there is no connection!

You're right - no Elva connection.

[tobytwirl]

Is it British?

[nicanary]

Is it British?

Yes.

[tobytwirl]

Lets try for the engine - Ford?

[nicanary]

Lets try for the engine - Ford?

TBH it's possible a Ford engine was fitted at one point in its history, but it didn't start out with one, and it hasn't got one fitted today.

[tobytwirl]

MG?