Topic: Solved - MJW #426 - Fuzzi JAP twin-engined special by Robert Waddy

[woodinsight]

Who built this small car? (he is driving it)
What was it called?
What powered it and what was special about it?

[Allemano]

It isn't Otto Mathe?

[woodinsight]

Not Otto Mathe and not from that country

[Wendax]

Seems to be an early test car for heated driver's seats. 

[woodinsight]

Seems to be an early test car for heated driver's seats. 

When you learn the motive power and layout of this very small car, no wonder he was driving it in agony! 

[Allan L]

That's Robin Waddy driving his special called "Fuzzi" at Brighton Speed Trials.
It had two JAP 500cc engines one in the front driving the front wheels and one in the back driving the rear.
Which attribute makes it special is hard to pin down as it was a four-wheel-drive, twin-engined, twin-gearboxed spaceframe homemade special.

[woodinsight]

That's Robin Waddy driving his special called "Fuzzi" at Brighton Speed Trials.
It had two JAP 500cc engines one in the front driving the front wheels and one in the back driving the rear.
Which attribute makes it special is hard to pin down as it was a four-wheel-drive, twin-engined, twin-gearboxed spaceframe homemade special.

Yes, it's the Fuzzi as constructed and driven by Robert Waddy (not Robin).
I think the fact that it was twin-engined and four wheel drive with twin gearboxes and I believe twin starters are the attributes I was aiming at.
It was certainly a complicated and difficult car to drive.
One amusing anecdote (from TNF) was when that well-known lady racing driver Joan Richmond drove it at Shelsley, she had difficulty in understanding the workings of the accelerator pedal - press the top of it for more power from the front engine and push the bottom of it for more power from the rear unit - she ended up flooring the pedal and took the Ladies' Record in great style!

Allan, I can see I'm going to have to dig out some trickier puzzles of this era for you in future!

[D-type]

Please do - but leave them in the experts for a day or two so I can have a stab first!  Please

[woodinsight]

Please do - but leave them in the experts for a day or two so I can have a stab first!  Please

Yes - I realise that now - see my comment on the BHW puzzle

[Allan L]

Robert Waddy of course.
I'm sure I remember Ben Walker referring to him as "Robin" which is, or can be, a diminutive form of Robert. That's what I remembered when I wrote the above, but even that's a 33-year-old recollection, so not evidence.

[D-type]

Please do - but leave them in the experts for a day or two so I can have a stab first!  Please

Yes - I realise that now - see my comment on the BHW puzzle

As I said there, there's no problem putting them straight onto the "Pros" board, but I think it is highly unfair to post them on the exclusive "Pros and Feature Writers" section where the majority of the forum can see them but can't answer.

[woodinsight]

Point taken and duly noted.
I will post some more racing puzzles in the experts section in future before moving them up to the Pros.
It's often difficult to know where everyone's interest/expertise lies but I'm learning!

[Carnut]

Point taken and duly noted.
I will post some more racing puzzles in the experts section in future before moving them up to the Pros.
It's often difficult to know where everyone's interest/expertise lies but I'm learning!

I have commented on D-Type point of view in your BHW puzzle so I won't repeat myself.
All I would add is that if puzzles can't be posted straight to the PAFW board what is the point of it at all?

[grobmotorix]

A 1937 photo of Fuzzi: