Guest Stonefish Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Trying to ID this car from a 1955 hill climb in Canada...right hand drive, looks like fiberglass.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) Looks sorta like an Alpha Romeo to me. Edited January 30, 2012 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 here is another pix...it does have an Alfa feel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 resized photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2dameron Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Not an Alfa grille. I think it might be a low volume British car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrhd29nz Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 It kinda has a Healy fender line to it, but the knock-off wires look like TR2 or 3Do you know where in Canada? I can't make out the plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Even though the front half looks wrong the rear half is reminiscent of an early TVR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Lancia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gillingham Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 The wheel hubs are Dunlops, so I think you can narrow it down to being British. The roof line and side windows look to me to be a Mark 1 Lotus Elite (Climax). Judging by eye, the wheel base looks about right. Just that it's had a bit of the front end reworked. If you squint your eyes, it even looks like a bit of a Lotus badge on the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gillingham Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Actually, I have realised that the Elite didn't come out until 58, so it can't be that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 thanks for everyone's input...this has been a real stumper, for sure! I'll see if I can find out where in Canada this is, I'm helping another historian solve this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 just in...The car is from Ontario, racing in the Rattlesnake Point Hill Climb – about 90 mins from US border - in 1955. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I'm with Dave - the emblem could be a Lancia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Ballard 35R Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Grill sure looks like a Lancia but the hood seems to slope too much for an Appia or an Aurelia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 followed up on the Lancia idea...word from one Lancia club; "not Lancia" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 some other thoughts I've seen...it might be Australian?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick0matic Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Yes it does have an Alfa feel, but could it be an Alvis? And I still think it could be a Healey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gillingham Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) I think a Healey would be close, at least something British. It's not a big car, only Sprite size. If it's a custom built body, then it maybe more difficult to identify.There is a book written on Australian built sports cars, but I don't recall seeing anything similar to this in it. Edited February 2, 2012 by Craig Gillingham grammar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Casper Friedrich Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 A British kit-car. Coupe body have some hints of Lotus Elite, but didn't it come a couple of years latter on the market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gillingham Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Yes, in 1958. But the similarities between the Elite and this car are so close, especially the side window. Unless it's something like a rebodied Lotus 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwatson Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 The headlights look like period VW adding credence to kit-car or custom theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 It does not look like any Healey that I'm familiar with. As far as I know, the Tickford and the Elliot were the only enclosed Healeys. Both were saloons, not coupes. The grille on the car is close, but not the same. Also, I think all of the, non Austin, Healeys had disc wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 The badge on the hood is probably for the fiberglass manufacturer of the body. It is round with scalloped edges, and appears to have a diagonal black line over a fancifully scripted "R". However the image is much too grainy to be sure of anything except the shape of the badge.The hood line is VERY low for a front engine car, so I doubt it's a commonplace Britsh sports car like an MG or Triumph. If this weren't 1955 my guess would be a Bugeye Sprite under that body, but in 1955 it's likely a Crosley chassis (Hotshot, Super Sport, etc.) or possibly a Jowett Jupiter with a shortened wheelbase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 You guys are working hard....and I appreciate it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2dameron Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I googled the hillclimb and found only a brief reference to it and no photos so that did not help. I find the seam in the front fender and the window line reminds me of something but nothing I check out matches up. I've looked at Jowett, Sunbeam, Lotus, Saab, etc. It must be a kit car or a home made project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cben09 Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Ramblings,,,,Ron and Eve White ran the CMA,,motorcycle club,,,Mosport in planning stage maybee,,,Harewood airport circuit was fun,,there was car club too but we didnt mix much,,There are a few old timers around but most dont do computer,,,can someone bridge the gap here,,Guilbert Bureau of Montreal was very helpful filling gaps some time ago,,,pres of old car club,,,forgot name,,aaah,,,And dont forget the anglfiles in the maritimes,,,Cheers,,,Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 again...thanks to all that have looked in on this thread. The fellow I'm helping with this (you may have seen it in a recent Hemmings Sport & Exotic zine) found this ad in an early 60's publication. He thinks this car is related.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 this mystery has been solved....stay tuned for details! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stonefish Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 The car is actually a "two off"! It is a fiberglass body mounted to a 1949 MG TC chassis. It was designed by Duane Wright of Ottawa and the build was assisted by driver Bryan Rowntree. The car was "written off" during a towing incident. The second car, in the ad, was Wright's car…where-abouts unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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