Author Topic: Barrett's #278- Harold Biggs Special (Read 1073 times)

barrett · « **on:** April 30, 2012, 10:18:28 AM »

Who built this car, what was it based on and when was it built? A point if you know

barrett · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:08:01 AM »

Moving up

D-type · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2012, 05:15:06 PM »

Is that "Simplicity"?

barrett · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2012, 07:42:39 AM »

That's not the name I have, no

D-type · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2012, 05:28:28 PM »

Obviously based on a prewar Austin Seven.

Is this the first Lola?

barrett · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2012, 09:05:09 PM »

Yes, Seven-based. It's not from any known marque, just a one-off special built by a private individual

barrett · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:04:10 PM »

Up to the Pros....

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2012, 05:06:58 AM »

Front page featured!

http://www.autopuzzles.com

D-type · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:38:22 PM »

Is the individual who built it well-known?

Allan L · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2012, 04:04:59 AM »

I think that's Arthur Mallock's second special, registered WJ1515, called "Bombsk" which was originally, like "Bren" a trials car but was developed to do speed events and races. It had an Austin seven engine which was eventually supercharged but much later a Ford 10 engine was used. I think that a JAP 500 was tried so that it could run as a F3 car!
In the photo it is still a trials car (two spare wheels!) so probably quite an early photo.
What I can't say offhand is when Mallock built it, but as he was using "Bren" in 1946 I'd guess 1947 or 1948.
Most of the mechanical parts of "Bombsk" were used for the first Mallock U2.
Oh, and Duncan was on the right track with "Simplicity" as Jack French, who built and raced that car, helped Arthur Mallock build Bombsk.

barrett · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:24:33 AM »

I'm afraid it's not that one Allan, though if it had been that answer would certainly deserve the point

To answer Duncan's previous question, this wasn't built by somebody well known - at least not as known as Arthur Mallock. This is the only car I know about that he built.

pnegyesi · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2012, 02:38:47 AM »

was he well known in motoring circles?

barrett · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2012, 10:48:54 AM »

I couldn't really say; It's not a name I've ever heard of before but he was most likely 'known' in the 750mcc and Trailing circles... Personally I believe that this car is his only 'claim to fame' as such

pnegyesi · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2012, 10:58:33 AM »

does he appear in such race results online?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2013, 07:18:42 AM »

bump?

nicanary · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2013, 07:04:43 PM »

I've been doing some research on this one to prevent a slow slide into the Black Hole. Photos of the exact car are available on a certain site, and I'm waiting for info back from the site owners. The puzzle photo and those I have seen show the car in a different form from what it looks like today, and I believe that the black-and-white pics go back to when the car was built as a special, probably the 50s or early 60s.

I have found other pictures of an Austin 7 special wearing the same registration taking part in the Cobham Trial 2010. It is described as an Austin 7 Ulster, and driven by a Graham Fullalove. It is painted orange, and the exhaust is routed under the car, but otherwise it looks very similar. I can only assume that it is based on an original Ulster, because it sure doesn't look like one. As and when I hear from my source, I will advise you. Meanwhile, does the above ring any bells?

Allan L · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2013, 05:52:47 AM »

Elsewhere the car is described as the Harold Biggs Special. Harold Biggs was a founder member of the 750MC in 1939 so it is quite likely he was an active special-builder and user at the time.

nicanary · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2013, 06:21:42 AM »

Quote from: Allan L on June 28, 2013, 05:52:47 AM

Elsewhere the car is described as the Harold Biggs Special. Harold Biggs was a founder member of the 750MC in 1939 so it is quite likely he was an active special-builder and user at the time.

It looks like one and the same car. There is another image showing the car 40 years ago, when it was painted red. Everything matches, including the metal bucket seats, and I suspect the exhaust has been re-routed for purposes of practicality, or for "Elf and Safety" reasons. So I reckon it was based on a 1932 Austin 7 Ulster, and the rebuild dates from 1950.

I still haven't heard from the Austin 7 Specials Register, but my laptop is refusing to connect to other servers at the moment. But I'm sure the puzzle is solved. BTW, I don't expect points, Allan Lupton solved it.

nicanary · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2013, 05:21:23 AM »

Images found of the same car, the first one taken in the 70s, and the second one from the 21st century.

nicanary · « **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2013, 05:25:36 AM »

The second one..

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2013, 10:43:35 AM »

This one is solved.
Isn't it?

Carnut · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2013, 03:22:42 PM »

Quote from: Paul Jaray on October 08, 2013, 10:43:35 AM

This one is solved.
Isn't it?

Award the point and move it!

News:

Author Topic: Barrett's #278- Harold Biggs Special (Read 1073 times)