Solved - NEH 5522: ADO34/50 retrospective proposal for new 1964 MG Midget by Douglas Anderson - 2014

[Carnut]

What's this and who built it, for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[Johno]

The prototype perhaps for the newly proposed ADO coupe built by Douglas Anderson up in Scotland. MG midget mechanicals.

[Carnut]

Yes, that's right!
Can you tell me what he called the project though?
Locked for you of course.

[Johno]

The only tag line I can find is the Dumfries Dream Machine so unless it's that I can't find it mentioned in any of the press releases.

[Carnut]

No, it's an ADO number..
Try again!

[Johno]

Lets have a stab at ADO35, the coupe version of the proposed mini based replacement for the midget. It does have some similarities but actually looks more like the streamlined race car, or the prototype MG 4HAC.

[Carnut]

As you say ADO35 was BMC's coupé version of the ADO34 Mini-based MG roadster, so you're on the right lines.
But don't forget this is not an official BMC prototype but the idea of what Douglas Anderson thought a replacement for the Midget might look like (ADO34 was BMC's idea of what it should look like).
So you're very close with the ADO number but Anderson has used a bit of licence to enlarge on it.
I'm sure you know where to look?!

[Johno]

ADO  34-50   That took some finding. Happy new year.

[Carnut]

ADO  34-50   That took some finding. Happy new year.

Exactly!
That's what the builder calls it to mark 50 years since the ADO34 new small sports car project.
BMC was looking at a replacement for the Midget based on the FWD Mini, but Douglas Anderson's retrospective proposal retained the Midget tub and RWD using only parts which were available to BMC at the time.
It was built in 2014 and was supposed to appear at the NEC Classic Car Show that year but for some reason was withdrawn.

Well done.

[Djetset]

This car has finally just been launched as a (limited) production model as the ADO Coupe, (incorrectly) claiming to be the first car made in Scotland since the Hillman Imp. Here's a photo of the new production version, launched last week on 16 December.