Solved: GTE 324 - 1923 Marlborough-Thomas rebodied in NZ as 'ACME Special'

[nicanary]

Is the puzzle car the Gee Cee Ess Special?

[gte4289]

I don't have a name for the car. I've found a very similar car that was used by Jim Bennett at 1964 Hoopers Inlet Hillclimb. Apparently the Fury 1 that was intended to run that race was incomplete, so Peter Bell (from Ocean Grove) gave him this car

No, this is not the puzzle car.

[Unrelated to this puzzle: The car in your image looks to me like it could actually be the incomplete Furi 1 (and at least one online source agrees with this). Compare your 1964 image with the 1965 image below.]

[Oguerrerob]

Built in the 50's?

[gte4289]

Built in the 50's?

No, earlier

[nicanary]

Is the puzzle car the Gee Cee Ess Special?

I think you may have missed this post.

[gte4289]

Is the puzzle car the Gee Cee Ess Special?

I think you may have missed this post.

Sorry, I did miss that. No, it's not the Gee Cee Ess Special.

[Oguerrerob]

Tip Top Special?

[gte4289]

Tip Top Special?

No

[Oguerrerob]

Did this car participate at some Hillclimb races?

[gte4289]

Did this car participate at some Hillclimb races?

Not that I am aware of

[gte4289]

British?

Partially

New Zealand?

Yes

I think two things may be leading this one astray: 1) I anticipated further questions seeking to define 'partially British', yet there were none. 2) I was under the impression the puzzle photo had been taken in New Zealand, when in fact it was taken in the UK. To clarify: this car was raced in both the UK and New Zealand, with different engines and under multiple identities. At the time of this photo, it was in the UK, powered by a Mercury V8, and would be more accurately described as 'British' than 'from New Zealand' (although both were technically correct).

[nicanary]

Thanks for your hints.

MG chassis?

[gte4289]

Thanks for your hints.

MG chassis?

No

[nicanary]

Did it become the Thomas-Mercury?

[gte4289]

Did it become the Thomas-Mercury?

Not sure - what is that?

[nicanary]

Did it become the Thomas-Mercury?

Not sure - what is that?

Driven in NZ by Des McDonagh. (I fear I know your answer.........)

[gte4289]

Did it become the Thomas-Mercury?

Not sure - what is that?

Driven in NZ by Des McDonagh. (I fear I know your answer.........)

My answer is... Locked for you!

In everything I've read about this car, I've never seen it referred to as the 'Thomas-Mercury'. However, I still think you've found the right car, so here's what I'm looking for:

• What was it originally?
• What was it called at the time of the photo?

Also, I've been reviewing materials from various sources and have concluded that the puzzle photo was taken in New Zealand. As I had originally understood, the car was raced in the UK, then brought to New Zealand, where it raced and remained. (One source was written in a confusing manner, suggesting the car had returned to the UK, but this was not the case!)

[nicanary]

Thank you for keeping this locked for me all weekend. I'm afraid I've got nowhere - there were numerous Mercury-engined specials built in the UK at that time (presumably the engines were ex-military) but details are scarce. I registered with a certain NZ forum and was hoping to use their search function, but I didn't receive the e-mail with link that they promised. Maybe they're all out shooting hobbits.

I think it is only fair to others to unlock this.

[gte4289]

I think it is only fair to others to unlock this.

As you wish, but I still believe you have found the correct car. Unlocked

[gte4289]

I'm surprised this one remains unsolved! All of the necessary info is here:

• Raced with different engines and under multiple identities
• Originally built and raced in the UK
• Later brought to New Zealand, where it raced and remained
• Puzzle photo taken in New Zealand; powered by a Mercury V8 at the time

Did it become the Thomas-Mercury?

Not sure - what is that?

Driven in NZ by Des McDonagh. (I fear I know your answer.........)

In everything I've read about this car, I've never seen it referred to as the 'Thomas-Mercury'. However, I still think you've found the right car...

To solve:

• What was the car originally?
• What was it called at the time of the puzzle photo?

[nicanary]

It looks too small, but it's not the Leslie Onslow-Bartlett car is it?

[gte4289]

It looks too small, but it's not the Leslie Onslow-Bartlett car is it?

No. Go back to your previous guess. I'm pretty sure you had the right car, but just needed to find more information about it.

[oko94]

ACME Special, formerly known as Marlborough-Thomas Brooklands Special ?

[gte4289]

ACME Special, formerly known as Marlborough-Thomas Brooklands Special ?

Yes

[oko94]

Thanks for my 1150th point !

Sorry for nicanary who's done all the hard work.