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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: Otto Puzzell on October 19, 2006, 03:07:17 PM

Title: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 19, 2006, 03:07:17 PM
(http://www.autopuzzles.com/NTC10192006.JPG)

Know what it is?

Please, respond below and let us know what car you think you see here. Thank you to AutoPuzzles member Gilby for suggesting this attractive, though perhaps ill-tempered car.


If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply with your answer.  You can do so by clicking here (http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?action=register).

Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on November 02, 2006, 08:10:20 AM
<bump>
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: D-type on December 04, 2006, 05:13:31 PM
Is it a Costin Amigo by any chance?
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: porridgehead on December 04, 2006, 10:32:13 PM
There's not really a whole lot to go on. No trim, barely a side profile, steel wheels... precious little as far as clues. It's got kind of a CG thing going but the lights and grille opening are wrong.
Whatever it is, I have a feeling once the answer is discovered I won't be saying "Damn, I should have known that!"
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Ultra on December 04, 2006, 10:35:52 PM
Quote from: porridgehead on December 04, 2006, 10:32:13 PM
There's not really a whole lot to go on. No trim, barely a side profile, steel wheels... precious little as far as clues. It's got kind of a CG thing going but the lights and grille opening are wrong.
Whatever it is, I have a feeling once the answer is discovered I won't be saying "Damn, I should have known that!"

Well then, allow me to provide you a clue......

It has much in common with Mae West, Marilyn Monroe and Bridgett Bardot.
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: porridgehead on December 05, 2006, 12:28:57 AM
It was once beautiful but now it's old and decayed? ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Ultra on December 05, 2006, 12:33:14 AM
Quote from: porridgehead on December 05, 2006, 12:28:57 AM
It was once beautiful but now it's old and decayed? ;)


That too.

 ^-^
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 05, 2006, 03:19:33 AM
As this picture was sent to me by AutoPuzzles member Gilby, who used to race it, I'll ask him to supply a clue or two. In the meantime, here is a bigger photo.

Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Tifosi on December 05, 2006, 03:29:58 AM
Is it a De Tomaso Vallelunga?



Dan
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Ultra on December 05, 2006, 03:33:12 AM
Quote from: Tifosi on December 05, 2006, 03:29:58 AM
Is it a De Tomaso Vallelunga?



Dan

What do DeTomaso and Vallelunga have to do with Mae West?  ???

In other word..... No.  :shakehead:

Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 05, 2006, 03:39:53 AM
Mae West had quite a valley by her, um, lungs,ah....
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Ultra on December 05, 2006, 03:56:11 AM
Quote from: KarnUtz on December 05, 2006, 03:39:53 AM
Mae West had quite a valley by her, um, lungs,ah....

Good point!

The answer to the guess is still no, however.  :nana:
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 14, 2006, 04:27:43 AM
Surely Mr. Dentures can put this one in the "Solved" category....  ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 21, 2006, 12:27:33 PM
Or, perhaps not... ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Arthur Dent on December 21, 2006, 01:29:00 PM
1964 Vixen GT
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: Otto Puzzell on December 21, 2006, 02:19:16 PM
Amazing! You are correct, sir!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Arunas on August 29, 2009, 03:03:29 PM
It is not TVR or LaDawri, so what is this Vixen GT? Who build it? Any information, please...
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 06, 2009, 03:34:00 PM
Can't find anithing else:
" VIXEN Rare 1950s special" British Specialist Cars, Chris Rees
Don't think is this...
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on September 06, 2009, 03:42:08 PM
Perhaps you should ask Gilby
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 06, 2009, 03:47:57 PM
Last Active:  May 25, 2009, 08:23:20 AM

Humm, there is a canche, after all!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on September 07, 2009, 04:27:02 AM
If you had IM'd him, he would have gotten an e-mail alerting him of that.

I've sent him an e-mail on your behalf.  ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 07, 2009, 06:02:32 AM
Thanks a lot.  ;)
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on September 07, 2009, 07:38:29 AM
From Gilby:

Quote
The  VIXEN was built during 1962 / 1964  by Mr STODDART. He bought a spare "COOPER JAGUAR" front end from COOPER in thames ditton and everything began from that !

He's promised to provide more detail this weekend.

Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Arunas on September 13, 2009, 06:56:11 AM
Maybe the country of origin is know at least? Built in USA?
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on September 13, 2009, 08:52:20 AM
Quote from: Arunas on September 13, 2009, 06:56:11 AM
Maybe the country of origin is know at least? Built in USA?

Pretty sure it's in the UK.
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Carnut on September 15, 2009, 11:58:28 AM
Quote from: Otto Puzzell on September 13, 2009, 08:52:20 AM
Quote from: Arunas on September 13, 2009, 06:56:11 AM
Maybe the country of origin is know at least? Built in USA?

Pretty sure it's in the UK.


See this car is also in your Thumbnailed Solved Puzzles Compendium (P1).
Is that because it's just been solved?
Do all solved puzzles get put on that eventually?
Or is it because it's a re-post?
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on September 15, 2009, 01:10:26 PM
The goal it to eventually get all solved puzzles on the thumbnail thread. I got started about 3 years too late on that, so there is some catching up to do.

This puzzle, to my knowledge, is not a re-post.
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: vixengt on May 14, 2011, 06:11:59 PM
Dear members,

As pictures would be more usefull in my search for the history ( racing ) of my Vixen GT 1964, Brittish race car registered in 1964 non licensed.  It used to be red but is totally stripped now.
the doors close in the roof ( Ford GT40 style).
It used to have a Lotus Kent 1600 with Rootes blower and a Rover V8 as well. 
I found on the net that it was built by Vixen Formula cars.  It has Formula suspension.
Any information on this, please mail it to me on didierlisa@telenet.be.
Title: Djetset #519 - Vixen GT (to be merged please)
Post by: Djetset on May 17, 2011, 04:53:13 PM
Name the car, and gain a point.
Title: Re: Djetset #519
Post by: barrett on May 17, 2011, 06:47:51 PM
Definitely a repost!
Title: Re: Djetset #519
Post by: Djetset on May 18, 2011, 05:46:40 PM
Well spotted Barrett.  Just found that Otto placed this puzzle in 2006, so perhaps Admin can merge this with his #55 puzzle as mine adds another photo of this British one-off, called the Vixen GT.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Djetset #519 - Vixen GT (to be merged)
Post by: barrett on May 18, 2011, 05:56:15 PM
As you've probably noticed the current owner of this car is now a member here and has posted some recent photos of it. I know he is looking for more information about the cars construction and history if anyone can help...?

The photo you've posted here was my first exposure to this car and as nothing much seems to have been discovered about it in the 20 years since it was published I've always been mildly fascinated by it... :)
Title: Re: Djetset #519 - Vixen GT (to be merged)
Post by: Djetset on May 18, 2011, 06:03:14 PM
I found it on the 'Letters' page of in an old (1987) Classic & Sportscar magazine, as below, but can't add much more information sadly.
Title: Re: Djetset #519 - Vixen GT (to be merged please)
Post by: barrett on May 18, 2011, 06:49:38 PM
That's the one! I still remember where and when I bought that issue  :o

I never knew what a Gilby was, or a Pilbeam, and I still don't! I'm sure a it of searching on this site will reveal the answer though!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Allemano on May 18, 2011, 07:03:32 PM
merged.
Title: Re: Puzzle #55
Post by: vixengt on June 16, 2011, 03:15:30 PM
Quote from: Arthur Dent on December 21, 2006, 01:29:00 PM
1964 Vixen GT

Dear Arthur Dent,  you knew the answer to no 55 puzzle was Vixen gt 1964:  I bought the car 3 months ago.
I know now it was built by Ia
Title: Re: Djetset #519 - Vixen GT (to be merged please)
Post by: D-type on June 16, 2011, 03:41:38 PM
Quote from: barrett on May 18, 2011, 06:49:38 PM
That's the one! I still remember where and when I bought that issue  :o

I never knew what a Gilby was, or a Pilbeam, and I still don't! I'm sure a it of searching on this site will reveal the answer though!
Gilby was the name given to the cars raced by Keith Greene, the son of Sid Greene who owned Gilby Engineering.
1960 Climax-engined sports car, 1961 FPF 4-cylinder Climax-engined F1 car, 1962 V8 BRM-engined F1 car

Pilbeam were a whole series of hillclimb cars designed and built by Mike Pilbeam.  I think they were mainly single seaters.  He also ventured into racing with the 1979 MP42 Formula 2 car which became the MP44 Formula 3 car followed by the MP51 Formula 3 car in 1981.  Mike Pilbeam also designed and sometimes built cars for others
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: vixengt on January 20, 2012, 09:05:49 AM
Dear Arthur and forum friends,  the Vixen gt was built by Ian Stronach, Britisch Formula 3, Libre, and F5000 pilot in the seventies, as a road-race car for his personal use.  He wanted a low line race car for the road .  He bought a Cooper Jaguar front from John Cooper at Thames Ditton and started his daring project. The aluminium body is built around a lightweight space frame with formula suspension. It must have been the first car ever with an integrated rear spoiler ever.  His design is from 1962, long before the first Kamm-tail. The car disappeared for more than 35 years.  I bought it in april 2011in a French mountain village  and I am restoring it in cooperation with Ian himself.  It used to have a Grand prix Rootes 1600 engine with blower and now I am fitting a Buick/Roover 3.9 V8.  As soon as it will be ready, I will return it to England and I will hand it over to Ian for a test drive after 50 years.  Isn't that a great project?  This car will be seen on classic events, I promise! Vixen gt   
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Carnut on January 25, 2012, 09:28:51 AM
That's fascinating vixengt, especially for me for one reason: the guy I bought my TVR Trident from (in pieces) was named Ian Stronach.  That was in 1986 and at the time I would say he was perhaps 50 years old.  He had a very large garage full of cars that he had either built or restored, including an Autovia and a racing Riley that he had made himself, but he felt the 1960s was not an era he was much interested in so couldn't summon up the enthusiasm to restore the TVR and moved it on.  He lived near Manchester.

I wonder if this would be the same Ian Stronach.  I promised him I would take my car to show him once it was rebuilt, but when I went round to his house he had moved on and I've never heard of him since.

Any info would be welcome!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: barrett on March 06, 2013, 07:52:41 AM
Currently on display at the Antwerp Classic Salon, looks like the resto is progressing nicely! I hope Didier will keep us updated with the progress
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Carnut on June 09, 2014, 11:00:52 AM
Here's what this car looks like right now.
Hopefully will be finished early next year.

Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Otto Puzzell on June 09, 2014, 11:35:26 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: dzima1985 on August 15, 2015, 10:55:38 AM
Сompletely restored Vixen GT at the Antwerp Classic Salon 2015
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Carnut on August 15, 2015, 02:23:01 PM
Fantastic!

The caar's builder, Ian Stronach, is the same person I bought my TVR Trident from.
I've since been in touch with him and he's moved to North Wales to be nearer his family.

He used to race his Vixen in period with quite some success and is still involved in restoring various cars!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2019, 06:48:34 AM
Think this is an enjoyable video. (sub titles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6I7mqAnF2s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6I7mqAnF2s)


What a great car!
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Carnut on October 16, 2019, 06:52:38 AM
It was at the Goodwood Revival in 2017, where I met its new owner and restorer and even sat in the car!
It did a short demonstration run but didn't take part in any particular race or event.
But I also spoke with Ian Stronach about it.  That event was the first time he'd seen my TVR Trident (which was also present there) since he sold me it back in 1986.
Title: Re: Puzzle #55 - Solved! 1964 Vixen GT
Post by: Allemano on October 16, 2019, 07:37:45 AM
Quote from: Carnut on October 16, 2019, 06:52:38 AM
It was at the Goodwood Revival in 2017, where I met its new owner and restorer and even sat in the car!
It did a short demonstration run but didn't take part in any particular race or event.
But I also spoke with Ian Stronach about it.  That event was the first time he'd seen my TVR Trident (which was also present there) since he sold me it back in 1986.
:thumbsup: