Barrett's #397 Vauxhall or Bedford special of D G Groves

[barrett]

I don't think there is anything online. That's the wrong magazine to look in, too... 

[pnegyesi]

CLassic & Sportscar?

[barrett]

No not there either I'm afraid

[pnegyesi]

then you can unlock easily

[nicanary]

I'm working on the idea that's it's a Bedford PC engine, or an early CA. Basically a Vauxhall unit, and they were quite popular in Australia.

Was this car built in Australia from British parts?

[barrett]

You're right, it's a Bedford engine (I don't know which model) but it was built in the UK

[nicanary]

I've just come across something that may be a lead.

Is this the Pick Special?

[nicanary]

 

[barrett]

I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

[nicanary]

I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

I have to admit the car looks a bit later in date, but in the 1954 Brighton Speed Trials there was an entry from a Mr. Pick of his eponymous car, said to be powered by a 3.5-litre Bedford truck engine. I can find nothing else about this car on the net.

[nicanary]

I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

Did you manage to find your source, or is this a definite "no" ? I desperately need a point - the kids haven't eaten for days.............

[nicanary]

I'll try again - is this a later incarnation of the Harbedvis, built by R F Harwood using an Alvis chassis and a Centric-blown Bedford engine?

[Carnut]

** Bump **

[D-type]

BUMP   

[knewit]

Lister "flat iron" with a Bristol engine

[nicanary]

Lister "flat iron" with a Bristol engine

The OP has only been an occasional visitor to AP for the past 12 months. We all hope he is well.

It may be some time before any questions are answered, but meanwhile I will point out that we have already established that this car is powered by a Bedford commercial vehicle engine.

[gte4289]

Entered as the 3,298 cc Vauxhall of DG Groves at Silverstone on 6 June 1959 with registration DG 1966.

By the way, Groves raced a very different looking "Vauxhall Special" in 1953 and 1954, also with registration DG 1966 (#79 below). That car used to be the Cadillac-powered Cripps Special. Based on the registration, can we assume the puzzle car was built on the earlier Vauxhall Special (which was built on the Cripps Special)?

[barrett]

Entered as the 3,298 cc Vauxhall of DG Groves at Silverstone on 6 June 1959 with registration DG 1966.

By the way, Groves raced a very different looking "Vauxhall Special" in 1953 and 1954, also with registration DG 1966 (#79 below). That car used to be the Cadillac-powered Cripps Special. Based on the registration, can we assume the puzzle car was built on the earlier Vauxhall Special (which was built on the Cripps Special)?

Great find. I have misplaced my original source and the computer on which I had all thse puzzles is long dead, but you've definitely found the car. I remember my source saying it was Bedford-engined, not Vauxhall-engined but who knows. It also seems the car had a name, as per my original question, but I have no idea what this was - so we'll call it solved for now!

[gte4289]

Thanks!

[gte4289]

I remember my source saying it was Bedford-engined, not Vauxhall-engined but who knows.

Bedfords were built by Vauxhall, so Bedford engines were technically Vauxhall engines. 3,298 cc sounds terribly large for a Vauxhall-branded car of the period, so it was probably sourced from a Bedford truck and Groves just entered it as a 'Vauxhall' special for some reason or another. (Regulations? Made more sense for a race car?)

It also seems the car had a name, as per my original question, but I have no idea what this was...

I agree that it must've had a nickname. Script reading "[___?___] Special" is visible in the puzzle image, as well as in one of the images I posted. The first word is too blurry to make out, but it's clearly not 'Vauxhall' or 'Bedford.' 'Wicked Special' maybe?