Topic: Home-built Puzzle #340 - Austin Seven Boat Car built by Clive Talbot

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Identify the the builder of this odd car.

Only a complete and specific answer will earn a point! 

If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply.  You can do so by clicking here

If you have not done so, please familiarize yourself with the AutoPuzzles Rules before attempting to solve this puzzle.

[Otto Puzzell]

Where have all the Rookies gone?

[Craig Gillingham]

It's based on an Austin Seven. Built in 1943 by Bill Rose. It is now in the Motala Museum in Sweden. The boat is named "Blue Peter".

[Otto Puzzell]

Hmmm...

I have a completely different builders name. Can an impartial third party either confirm or reject Mr. Gillingham's answer, please?

[sixtee5cuda]

Blue Peter has curved windshield support posts, the puzzle car has straight supports.  The windshield frame of the puzzle car is wider, providing less visibility through the windshield than is available on Blue Peter.  The boat section construction of Blue Peter includes at least 8 longitudinal strips, while the puzzle car includes 3.  The portholes on Blue Peter are smaller, and mounted further apart.  Blue Peter has a light mounted below the porthole section.  Blue Peter also has a windshield wiper, lacking on the puzzle car.

They are not the same car.  But it is the very same concept.  Can there be just two?

[Craig Gillingham]

I can't find out much more, apart from it was sold as a project a few years ago. Based on the B&W photo on the notice board in this photo, I think it's based on the same car, even though the bodywork is different.

[Otto Puzzell]

Interesting - the black and white picture does indeed look more like the puzzle car. Point to Craig Gillingham.

If somebody can provide more background n the original car - and whether the builder was Mr Rose, or another individual.

[sixtee5cuda]

FWIW, David Pennington has a 1928 Austin Seven, with the number plate YX 6686, which is the obscured plate of the puzzle car.  It is a stock-bodied car which he drives in rallies.

[Otto Puzzell]

OK - but remember, I'm looking for the name of the builder.

[Oswald]

Irrelevant, perhaps, but was this the same car that was used in a Duckhams advertisement in the 1960s?

[Craig Gillingham]

I have also come across that same advert for Duckhams, with this car in it.

I've recently came across the same photo, and it is titled "September 1959: Clive Talbot Of Chiswick, London, in his car built with the body of a boat."

[grobmotorix]

Clive Talbot Of Chiswick

Agreed...

[grobmotorix]

A rather unknown photo of this car: