Author Topic: Solved -PJ117- The Explorer by Joseph Besasie 1961 (Read 1610 times)

Paul Jaray · « **on:** May 11, 2009, 05:06:36 AM »

Know what it is?

Please, respond below and let us know the make and model designation of the car posted here.

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Thanks!

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2009, 03:48:35 AM »

your opinion?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:42:36 PM »

What about you?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:06:39 PM »

The designer of this car was associated with another BIG name....

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:54:44 AM »

Paul Bunyan?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2009, 05:22:56 AM »

The father of the 'new edge design'? No, not him.

Ray B. · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2009, 01:25:08 PM »

OK, let's assume I know what that BIG name is. I don't know who the designer is, but is that car on the internet ?
If it's not, my knowledge may be useless...

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2009, 06:42:37 PM »

I took it from there....

Ray B. · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2009, 05:05:20 AM »

Popular Mechanics?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2009, 12:15:43 PM »

I honestly can't remember...but if not that, the other...

Ray B. · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2009, 12:59:19 PM »

The search would be too long...
Was the man working for GM?

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2009, 01:09:19 PM »

Not GM.

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2009, 01:13:30 PM »

This BIG name is often mentioned, last time was few days ago....

Ray B. · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2009, 10:12:26 AM »

I didn't find the car yet, but it seems to have survived and here is how it looks now! If it was really designed by a professional, one wonders how long this "pro" kept his job...

Ray B. · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2009, 11:07:22 AM »

Found it. On the contemporary photos I had found before, I had boticed that there was NO STEERING WHEEL!
I had also found the year it was build, the place (Milwaukee - which told me that the BIG name should be Brooks Stevens) and guessed where to look. When I read "Knee pressure steers this car", I knew I was close...
It's "The Explorer" by Joseph Besasie, 1961. And he managed to sell 3 of them !
I'd love to see him (from a safe distance) steering this dangerous beast with "knee pressure"

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:43:07 PM »

Congratulations!
What an excellent work! Great pictures too!
Here's another view:

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:56:11 AM »

Brooks Stevens penned that?

Ray B. · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2009, 06:26:38 AM »

Not Stevens. Besasie alone. But it is said in the magazine that he worked with Stevens.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2009, 06:37:38 AM »

I'll assume he was fired.

rcrmonte3 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2011, 03:16:06 PM »

Just a note to all--

I am the current owner of the Besasie Explorer (X3).

The Besasie X3 Explorer was designed by Joseph Besasie for his Father, Ray Besasie, Sr. Joseph was a designer for Excalibur Auto at the time.

There was only 1 X3 Explorer built, NOT 3.

The X3 is hand built from aluminum & fiberglass on a 57 Chevy frame, powered by an Olds 455.

If you are thinking about Joseph Besasie and selling cars, he and his brother, Ray, Jr., built 14 BACIs in the 90's.

araknid · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:13:04 PM »

Most car people familiar with the Besasie clan of Milwaukee probably know of them in connection with designer Brooks Stevens. Ray Besasie Sr. had been Stevens’ personal mechanic since 1940, Joe Besasie designed a number of concepts for Stevens – including the Excalibur – and Ray Besasie Jr. built and raced cars for Stevens (as well as the Excalibur Kart). Yet the Besasies put their prodigious talent to work on their own projects as well, including the Besasie Explorer, which became the focus of a two-page spread in the March 1961 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.

Here is another pic of the 'beauty'. Good grief!

News:

Author Topic: Solved -PJ117- The Explorer by Joseph Besasie 1961 (Read 1610 times)