I do not know what this is, so I place it here instantly.
The file name tells you all the fact I have.
Can you identify this one and proof your guess?
I now know the chassis make!
But I still have no idea about the coachbuiling company.
However, this now goes to >>> The Black Hole >>>
Based on a British chassis?
To my best knowledge no.
However it was shown at the London Olympia show...
After WWII?
Nooo- almost a decade before the beginning of WW2...
Could it be a 1932 Hillman Aero Minx
Bood guess, but no.
see the pointed front screen...
Did the chassis maker exist after 1950?
It still exists - only they do not build cars any more...
But still in the car business ( tuning, accesories) ?
Not really.
Do they build vehicles?
They are a components factory today - for planes...
did they also build motorcycles?
Quite sure no...
Frazer Nash ?
Not those - not a British chassis..
I want to find out more about this one.
So I help a bit.
This one was a real luxury car by a still legendary brand which I know...
Built on a Bugatti chassis?
Hispano Suiza ?
Exactly....
Thanks, but I think you forgot to add point(s).
I deliberately have not awarded a point for a big hint like that at Pro level, sorry.
What is interesting here and the only challenge will be the correct prove who was the coachbuilding company...
Interesting that the lamps appear to be British Lucas of the period. There is a popular book compiled by Lawrence Dalton titled 'The 1930 London Motor Show and Paris Salon'. Pity that it is not a year earlier as every single car that was in the show is listed.
It certainly looks like a body by one of the more adventurous British coachbuilders rather than a European job. I'm sure there is a way of narrowing it down - there must be a list of every exhibitor at the 1929 Show somewhere - did Hispano itself have a stand? I'd bet it didn't and this was on a coachbuilder's stand.
The best source for a list is the 'Motor Show' editions of both the 'Autocar' and 'The Motor'. It is important to note that the 1929 Olympia Show featured the 1930 models. The car behind the Hisso would suggest a Coachbuilders Stand as you say. As a matter of interest there were over 50 British Coachbuilders displaying their wares at the 1930 Olympia Show.
QuoteInteresting that the lamps appear to be British Lucas of the period. There is a popular book compiled by Lawrence Dalton titled 'The 1930 London Motor Show and Paris Salon'. Pity that it is not a year earlier as every single car that was in the show is listed.
I also have this book - I doesn´t help here though...
Kopefully someone will identify this one one day. :-\
I asked a friend, who's the head of a Hispano-Suiza Club:
« I would say that the mystery '29 Motor Show car is a Straight-Eight Hillman, a rare car even when new, definitely not a Hisso. »
Oh - well, let´s hope we will solve this...
I change the title.
There is a nice site on the Hillman straight 8. They would like to publish the photos, asking for info. Do you have any problems with that?
No, surely not. Feel free to tell them.
Quote from: pnegyesi on January 06, 2018, 03:41:27 PM
I asked a friend, who's the head of a Hispano-Suiza Club:
« I would say that the mystery '29 Motor Show car is a Straight-Eight Hillman, a rare car even when new, definitely not a Hisso. »
Makes more sense, as it looked very small for a Hispano-Suiza.
I feel a right wally as I owned a Straight 8 Hillman myself for a spell and I must say that when I first saw the radiator badge it did look familiar. I think that mine may have been a Vortic model. These were just one of many British cars built at that time to get around the newly introduced horsepower tax. It certainly was no 'stump puller' but for a mere 50 quid who was I to complain !
Quote from: pnegyesi on January 07, 2018, 03:43:25 PM
There is a nice site on the Hillman straight 8. They would like to publish the photos, asking for info. Do you have any problems with that?
One thing that we can be certain on is that this is coach built body. The body styles offered by the Hillman company were: Tourer 2dr 2+2, Saloon 4dr. Sports Saloon also, Drophead Coupe 2dr.
As a matter of interest the specs of the Hillman Straight 8 Vortic engine were: Bore and stroke 63 x 105 mm developing 52.5 bhp and rated [for road tax] at 19.7 h.p. so, quite a bit smaller than any Hispano Suiza built either in France or Spain.
I've found a site where shows the front picture tagged as Sir Henry Seagrave 1929 Hillman Straight 8 Seagrave Coupe. Mullin Bodywork
LOCKED for you.
Could you send me the link via PM?
I believe this is the image to which Oguerrerob is referring (link provided by pm). While the front image in your reply #21 appears on the same website, I am not convinced these two are the same car.
Quote from: grobmotorix on March 13, 2019, 04:48:26 PM
LOCKED for you.
Could you send me the link via PM?
PM sent
Me too...
Has anyone remarked on the front seats, which clearly fold down to make a double bed ?
PS The "Mullin" referred to for the Segrave car could be Mulliners of Birmingham, who built a lot of bodies for car makers in that area, including Hillman.
Just a follow-up note to add to this puzzle. I've just found out that Alexander Keiller who was heir to the Keiller marmalade fortune, wasted much of his inheritance on failed business ventures, one of which was a system of car seats which folded down to form sleeping arrangements.
Obviously this may not be his work, but it would be the correct period, as he was active in inventing useless things between 1920 and 1940. Grasping at straws, the tartan seats in the photo would reflect his Scottish background. Although this Hillman was not on the list of cars being exhibited, does anyone have a list of the coachbuilders and accessory stands?
Sorry but I can not add anything to this puzzle, so after all this time, it must be unlocked
Unlocked.
And I love the detective work of nicanary - only I need a proof...
I have no proof (yet), but I suspect the body may be the work of Grose Ltd, Northmapton.
Quote from: gte4289 on August 22, 2019, 10:27:47 PM
I have no proof (yet), but I suspect the body may be the work of Grose Ltd, Northmapton.
For comparison:
Thank you for your research and those wonderful photos.
However there is no presumptive evidence here at autopuzzle.com.
It is a strong hint, but not enough for a point I am sorry...
Further confirmation that: 1) the car is a Hillman and 2) the photo was taken at the London Olympia Exhibition in 1929:
An image showing what appears to be a nearly-identical car in an article covering the London Olympia show in 1930, but it seems more likely just an artist's reworking of the 1929 photograph above
:applause: Thank you!
Allgemeine Automobil-Zeitung, 1 November 1929
Thank you - I knew this article already - unfortunately it also doesd not give a hint, what this car exactly was.
Maybe you've seen this video about 1929 Olympia Motor Show.
Note the ad over the car
WOW! Thank you!
As this glass sliding roof was new and unique at this show, I am sure we now have the final solution.
It must be a special coachwork of Mann Egerton then.
So that is TWO more points for you Oguerrerob!
Thank you!!
I have to reopen this puzzle. Autocar credited Hill & Boll for the coachwork in their very extensive London Show Report
One point for you Pal.
This now sounds really like the final solution!
Looked really interesting.