Post-war coachbuilders in the UK?

[galrot]

Hey. 

I've lately tried to collect information about the cars built by various coachbuilders in the post-war era in the UK. One thing I've found infuriating is just how little information there is about them out there (at least online) in comparison with coachbuilder from Italy for example. I've found quite a lot information about the cars from  Williams & Pritchard through the now defunct fan-site dedicated to the firm and the list of cars I have from them is quite comprehensive. It have been harder with other coachbuilders though, which is why I thought maybe people here could help me given all the knowledge that Autopuzzles users have collectively. 

[galrot]

I got following cars from Robert Peel coachworks:

- A Allard J2 coupe (although not confirmed).
- A Cooper-Bristol roadster.
- A Cooper-Consul coupe.
- 1955 ParSon MG
- 1957 Frazer Nash coupe one-off.
- 1957 Frazer Nash Continental coupe.
- 1957 ParSon Maserati Special.
- 1964 McLaren-Oldsmobile Mark 1 prototype.
- 1964 Sheen Imperator GTS
- 1966 Bentley R-type Gooda Special.
- 1966 MG 1100 coupe.
- 1966 Unipower GT Prototype.
+ A number of Midget/Sprite that have been modified by them.

I've also seen it mentioned that they re-bodied some Bugattis, and built bodies for Brabham and HRG, but I have not find which specific cars they made. Anyone knows?

[galrot]

I got these from Wakefield:

- 1953 Cooper 500 "Disco Volante".
- 1953 Cooper t25.
- 1954 Connaught Streamliner.
- 1954 Lister MG.
- 1955 Connaught ASLR (?).
- 1958 Tojeiro Climax.
- 1968 Bugatti T57S coupe.

[galrot]

Leacroft:

- 1947 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 roadster (described as being "probably by Leacroft").
- 1948 Connaught L2.
- 1948 Healey roadster.
- 1948 Morgan.
- 1949 Lagonda 2-1/2 Litre.
- 1950 Jowett Jupiter.
- 1953 HWM Jaguar.

[galrot]

 Grey and Rich Panelcraft:

- Different types of Tojeiro Bristol models.

[galrot]

Maurice Gomm:

- Convair Excel prototype.
- 1955 roadster body now on a Jaguar xk 140 chassis, but used to be on a Alta GP.
- 1957 Aston-Butterworth F2 coupe.
- 1957 Lister Jaguar. Not completely sure which one, but I believe it could be the car commonly referred to as "Flat Iron".
- 1958 Ace-Bristol LM5000 Le Mans.
- 1958 Emeryson Roadster er.
- 1958 Tojeiro Climax Mk II .
- 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar D-Type.
- 1958-1960 Lola Mk1.
- 1960 Jowett Jupiter.
- 1960 Jowett Jupiter Coupe.
- 1961 Buckler 90.
- 1964 AC Cobra Coupe A98 Le Mans.
- 1967 Monica 560 prototype 1.
- 1967 Shelby Cobra III Lone Star.

[galrot]

I got following cars from Robert Peel coachworks:

- A Allard J2 coupe (although not confirmed).
- A Cooper-Bristol roadster.
- A Cooper-Consul coupe.
- 1957 Frazer Nash coupe one-off.
- 1957 Frazer Nash Continental coupe.
- 1957 ParSon Maserati Special.
- 1964 McLaren-Oldsmobile Mark 1 prototype.
- 1966 Bentley R-type Gooda Special.
- 1966 MG 1100 coupe.
- 1966 Unipower GT Prototype.
+ A number of Midget/Sprite that have been modified by them.

I've also seen it mentioned that they re-bodied some Bugattis, and built bodies for Brabham and HRG, but I have not find which specific cars they made. Anyone knows?

Another I've found is the 1964 Sheen Imperator GTS.

[galrot]

Maurice Gomm:

- Convair Excel prototype.
- 1955 roadster body now on a Jaguar xk 140 chassis, but used to be on a Alta GP.
- 1957 Aston-Butterworth F2 coupe
- 1957 Lister Jaguar. Not completely sure which one, but I believe it could be the car commonly referred to as "Flat Iron".
- 1958 Emeryson Roadster er
- 1958 Tojeiro Climax Mk II
- 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar D-Type
- 1958-1960 Lola Mk1
- 1960 Jowett Jupiter Coupe
- 1964 AC Cobra Coupe A98 Le Mans
- 1967 Monica 560 prototype 1
- 1967 Shelby Cobra III Lone Star

Another one:

A 1961 Buckler 90 with a Gomm body.

[galrot]

Another Gomm car is the 1958 Ace-Bristol "LM5000" Le Mans car.

[galrot]

Panelcraft F.L.M.:

- 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 "Disco Volante".
- 1956 Aston Martin DB3S coupe chassis 105.
- 1960 Austin FX4 Brougham de Ville.
- 1960 Britannia GT prototype.
- 1960 MGA Twin Cam coupe.
- 1964 Bentley S3 Continental McLeod.

They also constructed a number of estate and convertible conversions, as well as some replica bodies on pre war chassis which I have chosen to not include.

[barrett]

Maurice Gomm built two Jowett Jupiters.

In fact, Edmund Nankivell's book on coachbuilt Jupiters is one of the most informative reference works on the lesser-known post-war British coachbuilding world, with many virtually unknown firms covered.

[galrot]

Maurice Gomm built two Jowett Jupiters.

But weren't they both built in 1960 to a identical design? A count that as "one model" if so.

In fact, Edmund Nankivell's book on coachbuilt Jupiters is one of the most informative reference works on the lesser-known post-war British coachbuilding world, with many virtually unknown firms covered.

That sounds interesting. Does it also covers/mention other cars than Jupiter built by them?

[galrot]

I got these from Wakefield:

- 1953 Cooper 500 "Disco Volante".
- 1953 Cooper t25.
- 1954 Connaught Streamliner.
- 1954 Lister MG.
- 1958 Tojeiro Climax.

I'm pretty sure this 1955 Connaught ASLR must have a body from Wakefield too given its very similar appearance to the Streamliner.

[galrot]

John Offord:

- Buckler MG Parmenter Special
- Buckler one-off "Mistral copy" in aluminium (see attachment).
- 1958 Buckler BB100 prototype 1.
- 1960 Buckler BB100 prototype 2.

[barrett]

Great pics in this thread so far.

The two Gomm Jupiters were totally different designs

[galrot]

Thanks.

I did not know that. Are there any pictures online of the other Jupiter by Maurice Gomm?

I am just familiar with this car.

[Allan L]

I hope you've found this thread Barrett put up for us six years ago:
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/features-stories-and-photos/jowett-jupiter-the-coachbuilt-cars/

[galrot]

I hope you've found this thread Barrett put up for us six years ago:
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/features-stories-and-photos/jowett-jupiter-the-coachbuilt-cars/

I have, but I don't think the other car by Maurice Gomm was ever posted there. I have at least not been able to find it.

[barrett]

There are no photos of the other car 'complete', just one half built and one after it was written off - both in Nankivell's book, which again I would recommend as essential reading for brushing up on this subject. I have never seen anything posted online about the second car.

[galrot]

Thank you. I guess I will have to pick up that book at some point, but I can't really afford it right now. But thanks for your tip. 

[galrot]

I got these from Wakefield:

- 1953 Cooper 500 "Disco Volante".
- 1953 Cooper t25.
- 1954 Connaught Streamliner.
- 1954 Lister MG.
- 1955 Connaught ASLR (?).
- 1958 Tojeiro Climax.

Again based on merely appearance, I'm convinced that Wakefield must have been behind the body on this Lister Bristol. The body is close to identical with the one they made on a Lister MG chassis (second picture). Does anyone else have any opinions on this?

[galrot]

Another Wakefield car: This Bugatti T57S (chassis 57601) was re-bodied by the firm in 1968 in a very unique look after the old body had been written off in an accident.

[galrot]

I believe this is a Tojeiro of some sort, but I have not been able to find any other pictures of a Tojeiro cars with that pronounced fins. Does anyone know which car this is and who made the body?

[galrot]

I got following cars from Robert Peel coachworks:

- A Allard J2 coupe (although not confirmed).
- A Cooper-Bristol roadster.
- A Cooper-Consul coupe.
- 1957 Frazer Nash coupe one-off.
- 1957 Frazer Nash Continental coupe.
- 1957 ParSon Maserati Special.
- 1964 McLaren-Oldsmobile Mark 1 prototype.
- 1964 Sheen Imperator GTS
- 1966 Bentley R-type Gooda Special.
- 1966 MG 1100 coupe.
- 1966 Unipower GT Prototype.
+ A number of Midget/Sprite that have been modified by them.

I've also seen it mentioned that they re-bodied some Bugattis, and built bodies for Brabham and HRG, but I have not find which specific cars they made. Anyone knows?

Another one: The 1955 ParSon MG.

[galrot]

Leacroft:

- 1947 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 roadster (described as being "probably by Leacroft").
- 1948 Connaught L2.
- 1948 Healey roadster.
- 1948 Morgan.
- 1949 Lagonda 2-1/2 Litre.
- 1950 Jowett Jupiter.

I was under the impression that HWM made the bodies themselves, but I'seen Leacroft mentioned as the coachbuilder of this car elsewhere. Who made the bodies for the other HWM Jaguars then?