Solved - NEH 2908: "Fanny" built by John Howe with Ford engine and parts

[Carnut]

What's this, built by whom, when and powered by what - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[Carnut]

Professionals?

[nicanary]

Looks too small to be based on a Bentley Mk VI - is it British ?

[Carnut]

Looks too small to be based on a Bentley Mk VI - is it British ?

Yes, it's British..

[nicanary]

Rover based ?

[Carnut]

Rover based ?

No.

[sixtee5cuda]

MG-based?

[Carnut]

MG-based?

No..

[Tom_I]

Judging by the look and position of the steering rack, based on a Triumph? Spitfire, GT6 or something related?

[nicanary]

I must improve my questioning skills - is it a Bentley ?

[Carnut]

It's not a Bentley and I don't know of any Triumph bits in it.

[nicanary]

Any Railton connection ?

[Carnut]

Any Railton connection ?

None!

[pnegyesi]

Maybe Hillman based?

[Carnut]

Maybe Hillman based?

No; it's something of a bitsa so there are unidentified parts from various different cars and I don't know exactly which ones.  I didn't actually ask for the base, but "What's this, built by whom, when and powered by what".

So, it has a name, a known builder, when it was built and what its engine is. Its body is also built from something a bit out of the ordinary.

[nicanary]

Marine ply body ?

(That aluminium shroud on the chassis rail intrigues me - it seems to be in an unusual position to be an exhaust cover.)

[Carnut]

Marine ply body ?

(That aluminium shroud on the chassis rail intrigues me - it seems to be in an unusual position to be an exhaust cover.)

Yes - it has marine ply bodywork!

[nicanary]

Since it's a "bitsa" this could take some time for me - I don't keep an image archive of interesting cars like some members. I reckon I need a starting point, which ought to be the engine.

We know it's not a Bentley, MG, Rover, Triumph or Hillman. Let's try Alvis ? (For the engine).

[Carnut]

Since it's a "bitsa" this could take some time for me - I don't keep an image archive of interesting cars like some members. I reckon I need a starting point, which ought to be the engine.

We know it's not a Bentley, MG, Rover, Triumph or Hillman. Let's try Alvis ? (For the engine).

Not an Alvis engine..

[Tom_I]

The hub caps look like 1950s Ford items, from a Mk I Consul/Zephyr or something like that. Are there any Ford parts involved?

[Carnut]

The hub caps look like 1950s Ford items, from a Mk I Consul/Zephyr or something like that. Are there any Ford parts involved?

It has a Ford engine and lots of other Ford parts too!

[pnegyesi]

I think it is called Fanny

The 1600cc Ford 'Kent' crossflow fitted under the bonnet with just a small 'bulge' behind the LH headlight to allow space for the alternator The grille came from the 'kit' manufacturer, although as the body was built from marine ply, 'kit' is a rather grand term! A set of paper patterns was used to cut the parts. A fibreglass dash top (visible behind the windscreen) provided some compound curves. The radiator was a triple core item originally intended for an Austin Maxi - very efficient, although an array of different hoses and odd bits of pipe were required to match up the plumbing.

[Carnut]

Judging by the look and position of the steering rack, based on a Triumph? Spitfire, GT6 or something related?

I believe the chassis was originally built to take Triumph Herald parts, although it doesn't actually have any..

[Carnut]

I think it is called Fanny

The 1600cc Ford 'Kent' crossflow fitted under the bonnet with just a small 'bulge' behind the LH headlight to allow space for the alternator The grille came from the 'kit' manufacturer, although as the body was built from marine ply, 'kit' is a rather grand term! A set of paper patterns was used to cut the parts. A fibreglass dash top (visible behind the windscreen) provided some compound curves. The radiator was a triple core item originally intended for an Austin Maxi - very efficient, although an array of different hoses and odd bits of pipe were required to match up the plumbing.

Aha - you've found it!
You still haven't answered the 'when' and 'by whom' questions though so I'll have to lock it for you to do so.
The car was originaly a JC Midge but I don't think you can tell that!  JC Midges were Triumph Herald-based but this doesn't have any Triumph parts.
In addition to the Ford Kent engine it also has M3/4 Ford Cortina suspension, an Escort exhaust and fuel tank and many other Ford bits and pieces.  The builder intended the car to look old and sourced many parts at the Beaulieu Autojumble as well as at B&Q (a UK DIY chain).
How it could ever look old with those hubcaps though I'm not quite sure..
Awaiting the final answers before I can move this one to Solved.