Barrett's #346

barrett · October 30, 2012, 09:06:38 PM

Mystery time! This photo was taken sometime in the early 1960s by the in-laws of a friend of mine. The little red 'special' has so far eluded identification though it bares a resemblance to several '50s off-the-shelf GRP special bodies I've not found one that matches exactly. If you can tell what it is - and provide some evidence - then you'll get a point.

barrett · November 10, 2012, 10:50:05 AM

Skipping a level and moving straight to the Pros, as this one might be tough to crack

woodinsight · November 10, 2012, 02:29:41 PM

It appears to be rear-engined but I can't see whether it's LHD or RHD......
Could it be British?

barrett · November 10, 2012, 03:30:04 PM

The vents in the back do imply a rear engine, the steering wheel not being visible is annoying and I can't decide whether it is LHD or RHD...

Wendax · November 10, 2012, 03:34:33 PM

The clearly visible lefthand rearview mirror could imply LHD, unless it had mirrors on both sides...

D-type · November 11, 2012, 09:51:14 AM

Where was the photo taken? That might help.

Allemano · November 11, 2012, 12:29:30 PM

It looks like a hard-top, so maybe it's less obscure than expected.

targhediferro · November 26, 2012, 01:57:17 AM

Perhaps a VW by Rometsch?

targhediferro · November 29, 2012, 04:02:40 AM

Or maybe a Glockler Porsche

nicanary · April 27, 2013, 09:56:35 AM

Quote from: Wendax on November 10, 2012, 03:34:33 PM
The clearly visible lefthand rearview mirror could imply LHD, unless it had mirrors on both sides...

The internal rear-view mirror, mounted on the dashboard, seems to be angled towards a driver sitting in a RHD car. And I believe I can see a vague outline of a steering wheel on that side. As has been suggested, there were numerous GRP bodies available at that time, but I think the coachwork looks like alloy in the way that the paint has faded.

Perhaps Barrett could tell us in which town/city the photo was taken. It was most likely locally built.

targhediferro · May 03, 2013, 03:21:59 AM

The Graduates dresses on the right look like the ones of an American college. Is this car American?

barrett · May 18, 2013, 12:24:21 PM

The picture was taken in the UK but I can't remember exactly where

hermanoto · August 08, 2013, 03:32:13 PM

Devin bodywork
VW mechanicals

Carnut · October 09, 2013, 10:57:40 AM

Quote from: hermanoto on August 08, 2013, 03:32:13 PM
Devin bodywork
VW mechanicals

I'm not convinced you're right.
Moving to the Black Hole..

Allemano · April 15, 2025, 06:01:04 AM

What concerns me at the moment is the very wide front door line, as if the door is not flush with the front fender.

fromwien · April 16, 2025, 06:34:41 AM

According the wide and curved windshield and shape of the bodywork, I am thinking about the Ockelbo Carina without tail fins on Beetle-chassis. Only a guess without any proof

News:

Barrett's #346