Topic: Solved NIC#149 - Fairthorpe Electron of David Brown 1958

[nicanary]

What is this car, who is driving it, and where?

(I have to tell all AP members that I will award a point for the answer which agrees with information on the internet. I have my doubts whether this information is correct - if any puzzler comes up with a verifiable alternative answer , then another point is available.)

[nicanary]

Experts?

[AlexFrance]

Was the picture taken in the USA?

[nicanary]

Was the picture taken in the USA?

Not the USA.

[mekubb]

From down under ?

[Majeko]

David Brown in his Fairthorpe Electron at Abbotsford Airport in Canada 1957

[nicanary]

David Brown in his Fairthorpe Electron at Abbotsford Airport in Canada 1957

Exactly as quoted on the internet - well solved ! One point to you.

I'm going to put this one up to the Pros now, to see if anyone can add any more information. According to my records, in 1957 David Brown was driving a Wolseley Special, and didn't get the Fairthorpe until 1958. In addition, that's a funny-looking Electron, which makes me think it could be a "bitsa".

Pros?

[nicanary]

I have just delved into the Fairthorpe Register, and have found something I didn't know before, namely that early Electron cars had bodies supplied by Microplas.  My original doubts that the puzzle car was an Electron were based on the obvious fact that it had a Microplas front end, and what appears to be the rear end of a Fairthorpe Atomota saloon. I have found photo evidence that the Microplas shells supplied to Fairthorpe came in 2 styles, one of which had extended fins at the back.

So I'm pretty sure now that this IS the Electron raced by Brown, especially since the text on the website mentions that his car had been modified - hence the headrest which was not a standard fixture. I assume that the caption was incorrect in stating 1957, when he raced the car from 1958 onwards.

So the case is solved.