Topic: SOLVED: Djetset #425 - March-bodied Ford Prefect Shooting Brake

[Djetset]

An easy point on offer here if you correctly identify the make, model and coachbuilder.  Good luck.

[Djetset]

An easy Expert point now up for grabs.

[D-type]

Ford Prefect based "woodie"

[Djetset]

Go on, tell me more, like who the bodywork is by.  Locked to you until your next reply.

[D-type]

Don't bother locking it - I haven't a clue. 

I recognised the rear wing and bonnet mascot as probably being a Prefect.  But I have no idea who built it.

[D-type]

Is it perhaps a "Brakenvan" designed by Lord March?+

[Djetset]

It's not by Lord March, but you are really on to something here, so locked to you again!l

[D-type]

let's try again:

Ford-base Brakevan by  by Kevill-Davies & March.

Don't bother locking it as I really have no idea so anyone else can have a go.

[Djetset]

I am locking it for you so that you can tell me the name of the Ford model it is based on.

[D-type]

If it's not a Prefect, is it a Pilot?

[Djetset]

As you had already mentioned Prefect, I will give you the point, as that is indeed the base.  Well done.

This particular example is owned by Freddie March's grandson, the current Lord March.  I get to drive it occassionally around the Goodwood Estate as Lord March doesn't use it a great deal, and it is quite dreadful to drive.

[D-type]

Thanks.

When Freddie March was a partner in Kevill-Davies & March and designing the Brakevans I thought he was still Lord March and hadn't inherited the dukedom.  But I admit I'm no expert on the aristocracy and the way their titles change.

[Djetset]

You are sort of correct D-Type in that Freddie March was the Earl of March, Gordon and Lennox when his coachbuilding work began, but he became the 9th Duke of Richmond during the Kevill-Davies and March period. 

He also designed and built his own aircraft during this time too, as well as being the Lancia importer for England (and only England) and the Commonwealth distributor for the American Tipsy aircraft.  A busy chap!

[Allan L]

Please accept that in England a body like this is called a shooting "brake" not a "break". The two homophones have quite different meanings and the derivation of the name for the body has nothing to do with breaking.

[Djetset]

Good point, not concerntrating. Now corrected.

[Tom_I]

While I'd agree with Allan, the term derives from a type of horsedrawn carriage, similar to a wagonette, with one or two seats crosswise in front, and two back seats arranged lengthways and facing inwards. "Break" and "brake" are both acceptable spellings for this. "Break" can also mean a two-wheeled carriage frame used for breaking in horses.

[Allan L]

Good point, not concerntrating. Now corrected.

Thanks for that