Barrett's #278- Harold Biggs Special

[barrett]

Who built this car, what was it based on and when was it built? A point if you know

[barrett]

Moving up

[D-type]

Is that "Simplicity"?

[barrett]

That's not the name I have, no

[D-type]

Obviously based on a prewar Austin Seven.

Is this the first Lola?

[barrett]

Yes, Seven-based. It's not from any known marque, just a one-off special built by a private individual

[barrett]

Up to the Pros....

[Otto Puzzell]

Front page featured!

http://www.autopuzzles.com

[D-type]

Is the individual who built it well-known?

[Allan L]

I think that's Arthur Mallock's second special, registered WJ1515, called "Bombsk" which was originally, like "Bren" a trials car but was developed to do speed events and races. It had an Austin seven engine which was eventually supercharged but much later a Ford 10 engine was used. I think that a JAP 500 was tried so that it could run as a F3 car!
In the photo it is still a trials car (two spare wheels!) so probably quite an early photo.
What I can't say offhand is when Mallock built it, but as he was using "Bren" in 1946 I'd guess 1947 or 1948.
Most of the mechanical parts of "Bombsk" were used for the first Mallock U2.
Oh, and Duncan was on the right track with "Simplicity" as Jack French, who built and raced that car, helped Arthur Mallock build Bombsk.

[barrett]

I'm afraid it's not that one Allan, though if it had been that answer would certainly deserve the point 

To answer Duncan's previous question, this wasn't built by somebody well known - at least not as known as Arthur Mallock. This is the only car I know about that he built.

[pnegyesi]

was he well known in motoring circles?

[barrett]

I couldn't really say; It's not a name I've ever heard of before but he was most likely 'known' in the 750mcc and Trailing circles... Personally I believe that this car is his only 'claim to fame' as such

[pnegyesi]

does he appear in such race results online?

[pnegyesi]

bump?

[nicanary]

I've been doing some research on this one to prevent a slow slide into the Black Hole. Photos of the exact car are available on a certain site, and I'm waiting for info back from the site owners. The puzzle photo and those I have seen show the car in a different form from what it looks like today, and I believe that the black-and-white pics go back to when the car was built as a special, probably the 50s or early 60s.

I have found other pictures of an Austin 7 special wearing the same registration taking part in the Cobham Trial 2010. It is described as an Austin 7 Ulster, and driven by a Graham Fullalove.  It is painted orange, and the exhaust is routed under the car, but otherwise it looks very similar. I can only assume that it is based on an original Ulster, because it sure doesn't look like one. As and when I hear from my source, I will advise you. Meanwhile, does the above ring any bells?

[Allan L]

Elsewhere the car is described as the Harold Biggs Special. Harold Biggs was a founder member of the 750MC in 1939 so it is quite likely he was an active special-builder and user at the time.

[nicanary]

Elsewhere the car is described as the Harold Biggs Special. Harold Biggs was a founder member of the 750MC in 1939 so it is quite likely he was an active special-builder and user at the time.

It looks like one and the same car. There is another image showing the car 40 years ago, when it was painted red. Everything matches, including the metal bucket seats, and I suspect the exhaust has been re-routed for purposes of practicality, or for "Elf and Safety" reasons. So I reckon it was based on a 1932 Austin 7 Ulster, and the rebuild dates from 1950.

I still haven't heard from the Austin 7 Specials Register, but my laptop is refusing to connect to other servers at the moment. But I'm sure the puzzle is solved. BTW, I don't expect points, Allan Lupton solved it.

[nicanary]

Images found of the same car, the first one taken in the 70s, and the second one from the 21st century.

[nicanary]

The second one..

[Paul Jaray]

This one is solved.
Isn't it?

[Carnut]

This one is solved.
Isn't it?

Award the point and move it!