Solved NIC#153 - 1961 Kieft FJ with Chevrolet 283ci engine

[nicanary]

What is this car? The base marque and what powers it will get you a point.

[nicanary]

Experts?

[frederick59]

Cooper base?

[nicanary]

Cooper base?

Not a Cooper.

[frederick59]

Formula3?

[nicanary]

Formula3?

The base car began life as a Formula 3 machine, but is now powered by something very different.

[Majeko]

British?

[nicanary]

British?

The chassis is British.

[nicanary]

I'm very sorry Majeko, but I have given you the wrong clue - it was NOT a Formula 3 car, but in fact a Formula Junior chassis. My apologies.

[serra]

I have had to review a lot of British  formula Jr manufacturers, but finaly I have found it. It is a Kieft Formula Jr  powered by a 4.7 litre (283 cu.in) Chevrolet V-8  It is called, as it can be read in the nose "THE CLEWER SPECIAL".

[nicanary]

I have had to review a lot of British  formula Jr manufacturers, but finaly I have found it. It is a Kieft Formula Jr  powered by a 4.7 litre (283 cu.in) Chevrolet V-8  It is called, as it can be read in the nose "THE CLEWER SPECIAL".

Yes - superb detective work. I couldn't read that writing so I assumed nobody else could. I don't know anything else about the car, except that it was photographed in the paddock at a British hillclimb event. That's a lot of engine for a small car!

[serra]

Oh, I could not read it (only special)  until I found the car and I could know what it said.

[nicanary]

I have found this photo showing the engine in more detail. According to this new source the engine was 265ci. The owner/driver was Ian McLaughlin and his mechanic was Jack Clewer which explains the name of the car.

I have a feeling that only one Kieft FJ car was built, which means we now have 2 puzzles of this car, one like this and the other in its original form.