Topic: Solved - MJW #377 - Sigma Special 1953

[woodinsight]

What is this car called, who built it and when for one point?
Another point for what chassis it's based on, which engine it uses and who built the body?

[woodinsight]

Expertise needed

[Carnut]

This is the Aston Martin DB1 Spa Sport Roadster, known as the Paul Jackman Special.

I believe it started life in 1948 as an Aston Martin 2-litre (subsequently known as the DB1s) but was rebodied in 1953 to the car pictured.

[woodinsight]

This is the Aston Martin DB2 Spa Sport Roadster, known as the Paul Jackman Special.
I'll let you know the date shortly!

Well it was built by Paul Jackman and it does have an Aston Martin engine.
The car was called by a different name when it was completed in 19xx.
I'll lock it for you in the meantime.
Also another point is on offer if you can tell me which chassis it was built on and who built the body.

[Carnut]

I think your reply clashed with my edit, but to repeat what I have:

It was originally an A-M 2-litre with the 4 cylinder engine when built in 1948, when it was registered 481 CMF, and I believe it raced at Spa in 1949.

In 1953 it was given the aluminium body built on a steel tube frame and designed by Frank Feeley of Lagonda for Paul Jackman, although who did the physical building I haven't been able to find out.

When you ask for which chassis it was built on, do you mean the 2-litre chassis I've mentioned or do you want the actual chassis number?  If so I haven't got it...!

[woodinsight]

I think your reply clashed with my edit, but to repeat what I have:

It was originally an A-M 2-litre with the 4 cylinder engine when built in 1948, when it was registered CMF 481, and I believe it raced at Spa in 1949.

In 1953 it was given the aluminium body built on a steel tube frame and designed by Frank Feeley of Lagonda for Paul Jackman, although who did the physical building I haven't been able to find out.

When you ask for which chassis it was built on, do you mean the 2-litre chassis I've mentioned or do you want the actual chassis number?  If so I haven't got it...!

Thanks Carnut - we are talking about the same car which you have already pointed out in identifying that it was built by Paul Jackman in 1953/54 and has an Aston Martin engine. It was called a Paul Jackman Special when it was offered for sale some time ago.
So far so good and I'll award you a point for that.

However this was clearly a case of dealer/auctioneer misinformation that is probably now available on the net.
The only part of this car that is Aston Martin is the engine (engine no: SPA/49/3) that was fitted originally to the 2 litre sports (DB1) that was registered UMD 123 that was driven to 11th by Lawrie/Parker in the 1949 Le Mans 24 hr. event. UMD 123 still exists but now has a later DB2 engine.

The chassis of the puzzle car is not Aston Martin. It dates from a well-known prewar sports car (not British).
The aluminium body was built in the UK by x & x Ltd.
The registration number was 481 CMF.
The name of the car is xxxxx (5 letters).

[Carnut]

Well you're a lot better at digging out information than I am..

The car is, as you say, mentioned on numerous websites but they all have exactly the same information, that I've already given, some even to the point of saying that Frank Feeley built the car in 1953 for Aston Martin engineer Paul Jackman on 1949 DB1 test chassis number AMC48/1EN4/48/6 along with ex-Spa engine number 49/3.  None mention any other chassis or engine or who the bodybuilder was or what else the car was called!  Most of the info is that given by the dealer in Berlin who was selling the car last year, but it's also the same on a French website, an A-M website I found and of course on Wikipedia..

The only bodybuilder that springs to mind who built this type of car is Williams & Pritchard, but this car doesn't get any mention at all on their website so I figure it's not them.

So thanks for the chance but I'll have to pass on this one and leave it to someone with more time on their hands than I've got to keep digging!

[woodinsight]

Well you're a lot better at digging out information than I am..

The car is, as you say, mentioned on numerous websites but they all have exactly the same information, that I've already given, some even to the point of saying that Frank Feeley built the car in 1953 for Aston Martin engineer Paul Jackman on 1949 DB1 test chassis number AMC48/1EN4/48/6 along with ex-Spa engine number 49/3.  None mention any other chassis or engine or who the bodybuilder was or what else the car was called!  Most of the info is that given by the dealer in Berlin who was selling the car last year, but it's also the same on a French webside, an A-M website I found and of course on Wikipedia..

The only bodybuilder that springs to mind who built this type of car is Williams & Pritchard, but this car doesn't get any mention at all on their website so I figure it's not them.

So thanks for the chance but I'll have to pass on this one and leave it to someone with more time on their hands than I've got to keep digging!

Interesting!
According to my Aston Martin Register, chassis AMC/48/1 (engine no: EN4/48/6) was the works experimental chassis for the new 2 litre DB1. They say the chassis was never completed or registered and was probably dismantled/broken up.
I also have an entry for the puzzle car that details the info I provided earlier.
I will reveal all the facts when it's solved.
At least you gained a point!

Anyway, still required for the second point are -
Name of the car (5 letters)
and if possible
Chassis base car
Coachbuilder

[Carnut]

They say the chassis was never completed or registered and was probably dismantled/broken up.

On another (quite authoritative-looking) website it says that 13 DB1s were completed, but a 14th chassis was made available for a coachbuilt one-off roadster, although it doesn't enlarge on that at all.  I have been unable to find out any more information about that 14th chassis, any vehicle that used it, or whether it was or was not the puzzle car (which it can't be anyway as you say the puzzle car has a pre-war foreign chassis!)

[woodinsight]

They say the chassis was never completed or registered and was probably dismantled/broken up.

On another (quite authoritative-looking) website it says that 13 DB1s were completed, but a 14th chassis was made available for a coachbuilt one-off roadster, although it doesn't enlarge on that at all.  I have been unable to find out any more information about that 14th chassis, any vehicle that used it, or whether it was or was not the puzzle car (which it can't be anyway as you say the puzzle car has a pre-war foreign chassis!)

I suspect that the chassis of the puzzle car may have been modified by the works and then re-configured to become the first experimental DB1. It may be this chassis or parts of that the puzzle car was built on.

Anyway, I will accept the name of this car for the additional point as I think it's going to be too difficult to guess the chassis origins and the firm who built the body.

[woodinsight]

Can any Pro wrap this one up by providing the name it's known by in Aston Martin circles?

[grobmotorix]

Hmmm, do you want to hear "Spa Replica"?

[woodinsight]

Hmmm, do you want to hear "Spa Replica"?

Not Spa Replica but the name starts with 'S'

[Joćo]

Chassis :

[Wendax]

Caution! On that sales sheet it says that in order to obtain legal road admission the chassis number of an Aston Martin test chassis was used. That doesn't sound to me as if it really uses the original chassis with that number.

[woodinsight]

Well this is one of these cars that the dealers are striving to establish an Aston Martin heritage.
The chassis possibly contains some modifications to the original non-Aston chassis.
Engine is definitely Aston Martin but as to the remainder.......
My source, the Aston Martin Register, bible of all things related to the marque, treats this as a special with Aston parts.
It does have a separate name  - Sxxxx Special - that it has always been known as before it was recently offered on the market. Paul Jackman was the man behind the project.

[woodinsight]

Caution! On that sales sheet it says that in order to obtain legal road admission the chassis number of an Aston Martin test chassis was used. That doesn't sound to me as if it really uses the original chassis with that number.

I believe that's a correct assumption

[Joćo]

Super Special?

Tnx Wendax,and tnx woodinsight for this puzzle.

Seeking more information about this intriguing Aston!

[grobmotorix]

I think it has just been called "the SIX".

[woodinsight]

Sorry folks but it's not "Super Special" or "the Six"

Here's a giveaway clue!
Five letters starting with 'S' - a letter of the Greek alphabet

[Joćo]

Sigma!

[woodinsight]

Sigma!

That's it - well done Joao.

I'll post some more information shortly...

[woodinsight]

Solved at last!

The Sigma Special was originally built on a BMW 320 chassis by Paul Jackman 1953-54.
(it may have been the original development chassis for the proposed 2 litre Sports - DB1 but that is open to conjecture). The engine SPA4/49/3 had come from the DB1 AMC/49/5 and the body was built by Green & Mays Ltd.

See the extract below from the Aston Martin OC Register and also another advert where the Sigma name is used.

 

[Carnut]

Thiesen didn't do their homework!
They should employ you as a consultant...
Very pretty car - great puzzle!

[algarve Richard]

Good afternoon, my name is Richard Hughes and I proudly owned this car the Aston Martin Sigma from 1985. I flew from Vermont USA to the UK to purchase this car from a well known Aston Martin Owners Club member Tom Turk in Kent. I drove the car to Switzerland and back in the Aston Golden Jubilee celebrations and then shipped the car back to America with me aboard the QE2.

I drove her home to Stowe Vermont and competed in many fun events with this delightful car.  I then took the car with me in my trailer in 1988 across America to Deer Park in Napa Valley California.  A local respected vintage and classic car dealer a Bruce Trenory from Fantasy Junction then sold he car for me.

Yes a BMW 320 chassis and I was told a one off body by Goodman and Mays in Kent from memory.  There were other Aston bits and pieces, the car having been built in the lads spare time in a shed at the factory. One rumour I was told was that a lot was not paid for at the time! For example a look under the bonnet at the radiator grill and this reveals an old Aston 2 4 mark III or similar grill! 

The 1,999 litre engine always ran well for me but she was a little under powered in my opinion. 
I have many pictures and very fond memories and wonder where the car may be now and what happened these last years.