Solved - MJW #990 - Peugeot 203 Bathyscaphe by Paul Guiraud 1954

[woodinsight]

What is this car based on, what was it called, who converted it and the year it appeared.
One point for the full and correct answer.

[Zerk]

That looks like it could be a lot of things
Is one of them a Peugeot 203 Decouvrable

[woodinsight]

That looks like it could be a lot of things
Is one of them a Peugeot 203 Decouvrable

Yes - it's based on a Peugeot 203 Decouvrable - any thoughts on who was responsible?
I'll lock it for you just until your next reply.

[Zerk]

While the car has had a bit of rally prep and is apparently a seasoned competition veteran (those front fenders are a crude lashup for a car that goes off the road occassionally) I can't resolve what the picture is showing as real rallying.

Neither driver nor navigator are wearing helmets. Their youth and cheer suggest to me a competition event that involves glasses of beer between stages

If this was not obviously photographed on city streets, I would suggest it is similar to the folkracing in Scandinavian countries.

Since I have no clue as to the circumstances of the puzzle, please unlock.

[woodinsight]

While the car has had a bit of rally prep and is apparently a seasoned competition veteran (those front fenders are a crude lashup for a car that goes off the road occassionally) I can't resolve what the picture is showing as real rallying.

Neither driver nor navigator are wearing helmets. Their youth and cheer suggest to me a competition event that involves glasses of beer between stages

If this was not obviously photographed on city streets, I would suggest it is similar to the folkracing in Scandinavian countries.

Since I have no clue as to the circumstances of the puzzle, please unlock.

I like the observations in your reply which are largely true (except I would replace the the beer with wine!)
Those were the days when it was fun to go rallying on a national scale and there were many overnight rallies of that sort here in France.
Thanks for your participation Zerk and the puzzle is now open again.

[woodinsight]

Experts?

[frederick59]

looks like a Constantin Peugeot

[woodinsight]

looks like a Constantin Peugeot

Similar but it's not that one.....

[frederick59]

peugeot 203 base built by Paul Guiraud

[woodinsight]

peugeot 203 base built by Paul Guiraud

Yes, that's correct.
Can you give me the year?
LOCKED for you.

[frederick59]

found that it was in 1954 and called Bathyscaphe

[woodinsight]

Spot on!
Well done and another point for you.

[Allan L]

Just for information, this is what the real 1953 bathyscaphe (for Piccard) was like:

[D-type]

While the car has had a bit of rally prep and is apparently a seasoned competition veteran (those front fenders are a crude lashup for a car that goes off the road occassionally) I can't resolve what the picture is showing as real rallying.

Neither driver nor navigator are wearing helmets. Their youth and cheer suggest to me a competition event that involves glasses of beer between stages

If this was not obviously photographed on city streets, I would suggest it is similar to the folkracing in Scandinavian countries.

Since I have no clue as to the circumstances of the puzzle, please unlock.

The use of crash helmets didn't become common, even in top international rallies, until the mid sixties.  I would not expect the drivers of this car to be wearing helmets.