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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2019 => Topic started by: Allemano on August 30, 2010, 07:27:21 AM

Title: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Allemano on August 30, 2010, 07:27:21 AM
Please respond below if you know the make and model designation of this car. Who built the body?
One point for the right and complete answer!

Sorry for the bad quality pic!  :-\

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Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 04, 2010, 04:08:56 AM
Move it up!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: D-type on September 04, 2010, 12:00:26 PM
Rochdale Olympic?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 04, 2010, 12:05:00 PM
No.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: barrett on September 04, 2010, 12:13:08 PM
Based on an XK Jag?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 04, 2010, 01:27:43 PM
No.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: barrett on September 09, 2010, 02:23:49 AM
Based on a mass-produced British car?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 09, 2010, 05:11:05 AM
For the technical base: yes.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on September 13, 2010, 06:35:31 PM
Anything to do with Kieft?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 14, 2010, 04:34:07 AM
Nothing, I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: barrett on September 14, 2010, 11:09:41 AM
MG underneath?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 14, 2010, 11:10:21 AM
No.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on September 14, 2010, 11:31:41 AM
Triumph-based?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 14, 2010, 11:42:38 AM
Yes.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on September 15, 2010, 10:30:25 AM
Butterfield TR3A?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 15, 2010, 10:34:45 AM
not that.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on September 15, 2010, 10:54:24 AM
SLR?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 15, 2010, 12:18:10 PM
no
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on September 16, 2010, 07:46:34 AM
Spencer Special?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 16, 2010, 08:12:17 AM
No.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on September 30, 2010, 03:16:14 AM
Pros?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 14, 2010, 05:36:02 AM
known make & known coachbuilder...
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 14, 2010, 06:21:31 AM
Is / was the coachbuilder in the UK?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 14, 2010, 06:41:24 AM
According to my source it wasn't from the UK.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 14, 2010, 09:45:51 AM
Stabilimenti Farina body?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 14, 2010, 10:22:11 AM
Italian, but not Farina bodied.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 14, 2010, 01:19:20 PM
Castagna bodied Triumph?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 14, 2010, 01:20:50 PM
Neither... nor..
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on October 14, 2010, 06:42:38 PM
Conrero?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 14, 2010, 06:43:46 PM
Not tuned by Conrero...
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Paul Jaray on October 15, 2010, 03:50:37 AM
Motto?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:52:28 AM
We haven't played that game for quite a while.. ;D.
Not Motto!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 04:02:34 AM
I'm getting a Cisitalia vibe....
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 04:07:16 AM
It has nothing to do with Cisitialia.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on October 15, 2010, 11:14:18 AM
Vignale bodywork?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 11:16:03 AM
Quote from: Carnut on October 15, 2010, 11:14:18 AM
Vignale bodywork?
:shakehead:
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Carnut on October 15, 2010, 11:39:00 AM
Could it be the ill-fated Triumph Atom, by Michelotti?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 11:44:49 AM
Quote from: Carnut on October 15, 2010, 11:39:00 AM
Could it be the ill-fated Triumph Atom, by Michelotti?
No, it cannot.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 15, 2010, 12:10:10 PM
It´s an Italian bodied Triumph right?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 12:20:34 PM
Quote from: João on October 15, 2010, 12:10:10 PM
It´s an Italian bodied Triumph right?
No, it's not a Triumph, it's Triumph based!
And according to its owner the body was made by an Italian coachbuilder.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 15, 2010, 12:32:58 PM
Thanks  ;)

Viotti?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 12:45:33 PM
Not Viotti.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 15, 2010, 01:13:26 PM
Colli?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 01:51:01 PM
Quote from: João on October 15, 2010, 01:13:26 PM
Colli?
:shakehead:
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 02:50:04 PM
Zagato?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:13:19 PM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 02:50:04 PM
Zagato?
Still not the right one.  :-\
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 03:15:33 PM
I figured I'd start at the other end of the alphabet, and work backward.  ;D

Is the Triumph connection with a motorcycle, vs. an automobile?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:20:24 PM
There're Triumph car mechanics underneath. It's not so obscure!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 03:21:31 PM
The engine?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:22:36 PM
The engine was taken from Triumph.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 15, 2010, 03:27:22 PM
Body by Boano?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:30:23 PM
Oh, you jumped to the other end of the alphabet. However it's not Boano,
but you're getting closer.

BTW: they took not only the engine from Triumph.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:34:04 PM
Time for a color pic:

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g106/pan1968/9da376ac.jpg)
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 15, 2010, 03:39:52 PM
Ghia-Monviso?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 15, 2010, 03:42:11 PM
Quote from: João on October 15, 2010, 03:39:52 PM
Ghia-Monviso?
Now you only need the name of the car brand to save your point!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 02:06:51 PM
MG?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 02:07:33 PM
Quote from: João on October 16, 2010, 02:06:51 PM
MG?
Not MG.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:05:05 PM
Italian brand?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:13:41 PM
Quote from: João on October 16, 2010, 03:05:05 PM
Italian brand?
No!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:18:00 PM
Armstrong-Siddeley  ???
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:29:58 PM
Quote from: João on October 16, 2010, 03:18:00 PM
Armstrong-Siddeley  ???
No! ;D
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:34:18 PM
British sports car like Austin-Healey?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:35:43 PM
Yes, though it's not Austin Healey.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:40:05 PM
I still think starts with A.... AC Aceca?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:42:01 PM
Not an AC..
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:46:40 PM
Daimler Dart?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:48:51 PM
Not one of those.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:51:46 PM
 :doh: From 50s?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 03:53:04 PM
Yes!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 03:56:55 PM
Allard?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 04:00:44 PM
Not Allard.
I think there are still some possibilities left to narrow it down.
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 04:02:36 PM
Bristol?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 04:06:33 PM
Are there any fifties Bristols with Triumph engine? However... it's not one of those
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Aaron65 on October 16, 2010, 04:11:57 PM
1955 Ghia-Swallow, chassis #1209...
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 04:13:55 PM
Quote from: Aaron65 on October 16, 2010, 04:11:57 PM
1955 Ghia-Swallow, chassis #1209...
It's indeed the 1955 registerd Swallow-Doretti first owned by John Reginald.

A well deserved point for Aaron65. :applause:
Did you know it or have you searched for it?
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Aaron65 on October 16, 2010, 04:15:00 PM
I saw all the guesses and knew that Swallows used Triumph mechanicals, and nobody had guessed it, so a quick search revealed that exact picture!
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2010, 04:16:48 PM
Quote from: Aaron65 on October 16, 2010, 04:15:00 PM
I saw all the guesses and knew that Swallows used Triumph mechanicals, and nobody had guessed it, so a quick search revealed that exact picture!
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Allemano's № 473
Post by: João on October 16, 2010, 04:18:44 PM
Congratulations Aaron65 !!  :)
Title: Solved - NEH 3837: 1955 Swallow Doretti said to be by Ghia
Post by: Carnut on December 18, 2014, 09:23:22 AM
I'm convinced we've had this one before, but I can find no record of it!
So here it is (again?!) - what is it, by whom, from when - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 02, 2015, 06:18:29 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: frederick59 on January 02, 2015, 09:48:18 AM
Happy new year

Bristol base?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 02, 2015, 11:18:50 AM
Quote from: frederick59 on January 02, 2015, 09:48:18 AM
Happy new year

Bristol base?

Thanks!
No, not Bristol-based.
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: frederick59 on January 06, 2015, 12:17:06 PM
Allard?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 07, 2015, 05:26:40 AM
Quote from: frederick59 on January 06, 2015, 12:17:06 PM
Allard?

No, not an Allard.
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: frederick59 on January 07, 2015, 01:37:46 PM
Morgan?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 07, 2015, 06:24:43 PM
Quote from: frederick59 on January 07, 2015, 01:37:46 PM
Morgan?

No..
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Ecnelis on January 11, 2015, 05:30:51 AM
Is it British at all?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 11, 2015, 01:13:28 PM
Quote from: Ecnelis on January 11, 2015, 05:30:51 AM
Is it British at all?

Yes, 100%
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: gilescooperuk on January 17, 2015, 05:21:42 AM
Aston Martin, and yes I think I have seen that picture before....
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 17, 2015, 11:30:48 AM
Quote from: gilescooperuk on January 17, 2015, 05:21:42 AM
Aston Martin, and yes I think I have seen that picture before....

It's not an Aston..
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: frederick59 on January 20, 2015, 05:23:38 PM
Frazer-Nash?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on January 20, 2015, 06:12:15 PM
Quote from: frederick59 on January 20, 2015, 05:23:38 PM
Frazer-Nash?

Good guess and it does look a bit like a FN Continental, but no, it's not a Frazer-Nash.
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on February 03, 2015, 05:57:05 AM
Should last about 5 minutes with the Pro's...
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: nicanary on February 03, 2015, 06:43:14 AM
So you thought..........

I know it's not a Gilbern, but I can't get it out of my head. So is it a rebodied MGA?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2015, 07:20:54 AM
I have that very pic somewhere!
Turner?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on February 03, 2015, 07:29:02 AM
Not a Gilbern, an MGA or a Turner..
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2015, 07:35:19 AM
Custom built project or by a (known) maker?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: barrett on February 03, 2015, 07:39:15 AM
It's a Swallow Doretti, isn't it? I can't remember who built it though
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2015, 07:44:41 AM
Aaaarghh....there it was!
I'll consider it locked and won't reply!
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on February 03, 2015, 07:48:34 AM
Thanks PJ, yes I was about to reply to you and lock it for Barrett to say who is said to have been behind the bodywork and from when it dates.
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: barrett on February 03, 2015, 08:44:57 AM
Something in my memory is saying 'Ghia' but I'm not entirely convinced (as I wasn't the last time this was a puzzle!)

Year? 1954?
Title: Re: NEH 3837
Post by: Carnut on February 03, 2015, 09:58:00 AM
Quote from: barrett on February 03, 2015, 08:44:57 AM
Something in my memory is saying 'Ghia' but I'm not entirely convinced (as I wasn't the last time this was a puzzle!)

Year? 1954?

Yes, Ghia is who is said to have designed (and built?) it but there does seem to be a bit of doubt about that.
1955 actually but we won't quibble!
It's S/N 1209 and Registration Number RLT 59.
How come I can't find the original puzzle?  There was one I'm sure!  Did you have any luck?
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 3837: 1955 Swallow Doretti said to be by Ghia
Post by: Wendax on February 03, 2015, 10:11:20 AM
The old hyphen trick again: http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=13661.0
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 3837: 1955 Swallow Doretti said to be by Ghia
Post by: Carnut on February 03, 2015, 11:01:24 AM
Quote from: Wendax on February 03, 2015, 10:11:20 AM
The old hyphen trick again: http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=13661.0

Aargh..  I thought I'd been clever this time and only searched using 'Doretti'...
Merged now.
Title: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on December 02, 2018, 01:13:53 PM
What's this car and who built it, for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Spazmatron206 on December 20, 2018, 07:01:07 AM
Bits of Michelotto's XK but not too sure...
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on December 20, 2018, 09:03:54 AM
Quote from: Spazmatron206 on December 20, 2018, 07:01:07 AM
Bits of Michelotto's XK bit not too sure...

Welcome to AutoPuzzles.
I can see exactly what you mean, but theres no relationship at all!
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on January 03, 2019, 06:30:40 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: targhediferro on January 03, 2019, 07:34:16 AM
Saab?
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on January 03, 2019, 07:55:45 AM
Quote from: targhediferro on January 03, 2019, 07:34:16 AM
Saab?

No
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Mogul on January 03, 2019, 09:25:26 AM
Aston Martin connection?
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Mogul on January 03, 2019, 09:29:42 AM
AC Cobra connection?
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on January 03, 2019, 10:12:38 AM
No x 2 (and only one question at once Mogul, please remember!)
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Mogul on January 04, 2019, 04:25:00 AM
Triumph connection?
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: barrett on January 04, 2019, 05:15:42 AM
Isn't this the supposedly Ghia-bodied Swallow Doretti? I'm sure we've had this as a puzzle before, but a long time ago...
Title: Re: NEH 5358
Post by: Carnut on January 04, 2019, 07:40:19 AM
Sorry Mogul, the answer would have been that there is some connection but:

Quote from: barrett on January 04, 2019, 05:15:42 AM
Isn't this the supposedly Ghia-bodied Swallow Doretti? I'm sure we've had this as a puzzle before, but a long time ago...

Yes it is, so you get another point for solving it again!
I couldn't actually find the original puzzle (the hyphen problem again...) so I posted it again.
I should perhaps have used the picture below instead which might have made it a bit harder..

There was an article about the car in the December issue of Classic & Sports Car, but it didn't really have any new information about it.  It still belongs to the guy who acquired it in 2004 but whilst he has restored the chassis and running gear he's reluctant to spend any time or money on the body unless he can find proof that it was actually built by Ghia.  Whilst I can't see that it could possibly be anything else proof of provenance is everything of course so without that it would never achieve its full value, but all the same I personally would restore it as it's a wonderful example of a one-off of a very rare car from the 1950s so is well worth preserving whoever originally built it.

Puzzle merged again...

Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: barrett on January 04, 2019, 08:15:23 AM
Prettier, and much more interesting, than a standard Doretti and definitely worth saving
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Allemano on January 04, 2019, 08:31:09 AM
Would be so nice if there were some papers/documents or badges to prove the Ghia connection. Alas it's not mentioned in any of the sources about Ghia as far as I know. Don't have access to the Ghia Catalogue Raisonné, but think it's not to find there either.
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Paul Jaray on January 04, 2019, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: Allemano on January 04, 2019, 08:31:09 AM
.... Don't have access to the Ghia Catalogue Raisonné, but think it's not to find there either.
Your assumption is right!
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Carnut on January 04, 2019, 11:28:10 AM
Of course it's quite possible that it was nothing to do with Ghia at all.
Looking at the shape of the car it doesn't really have the grace and cohesion one would normally associate with Ghia.
There has apparently never been any official record of a chassis being sent to Ghia and since there's no mention at all of this car in any book, historical or otherwise, about Ghia then I would say it could have been made by some fairly obscure English coachbuilder.
Just speculating!
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Allemano on January 04, 2019, 12:05:16 PM
Quote from: Carnut on January 04, 2019, 11:28:10 AM
Of course it's quite possible that it was nothing to do with Ghia at all.
Looking at the shape of the car it doesn't really have the grace and cohesion one would normally associate with Ghia.
(...)
There quite some cars by Ghia which don't have that elegance and perfect balanced shape either. (Ghia MG TF "Everest", Bugatti 57, MB 300, etc.)
Not to mention that it could be potentially made by Ghia Aigle*, not Ghia Turin.  :idea:


*look at their 1950 Jowett Jupiter
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Carnut on January 05, 2019, 07:23:16 AM
Yes, I was just airing one possibility..
It may well have been done by Ghia-Aigle; they did body a few British cars in the 1950s.
Title: Re: Solved: Allemano's № 473 - 1955 Ghia bodied Swallow Doretti (Chassis No. 1209)
Post by: Allemano on January 05, 2019, 01:38:25 PM
Quote from: Carnut on January 05, 2019, 07:23:16 AM
Yes, I was just airing one possibility..
It may well have been done by Ghia-Aigle; they did body a few British cars in the 1950s.
Bad news.. According to Stefan Dierkes of ghia-aigle.info there was never a Swallow Doretti bodied by Ghia-Aigle, so, the search goes on.