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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2014 => Topic started by: Carnut on April 08, 2013, 07:55:37 AM

Title: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Alvis Firefly "Bonstard Special" AKA "Routledge Special"
Post by: Carnut on April 08, 2013, 07:55:37 AM
What's this and from when does it date - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on April 15, 2013, 05:45:35 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: nicanary on April 15, 2013, 07:38:32 AM
Gordano ?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on April 15, 2013, 07:47:20 AM
Gordano ?

No!
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: targhediferro on April 15, 2013, 11:13:06 AM
MG based?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on April 15, 2013, 11:15:50 AM
MG based?

Despite my best efforts to find out what this car is based on I haven't been able to.
I know only its name and from when it dates.
It's possible it is MG-based.
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on April 30, 2013, 09:32:06 AM
Professionals?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: nicanary on April 30, 2013, 09:41:29 AM
It's RHD, but is it British ?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on April 30, 2013, 10:10:37 AM
It's RHD, but is it British ?

Yes it is.
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on August 28, 2013, 07:36:14 AM
Black Hole-bound...
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: nicanary on November 09, 2013, 07:22:05 AM
I have found this image at last on the internet - there is only one available, and it accompanies a newspaper article in the Northern Echo about the Beamish Run for classic cars and motorcycles. The photo is ,alas, not captioned, and I have had to revert to trawling the list of runners to find a likely candidate.

The only likely car is a 1951 Alvis Special driven by William Wiggins. Does this ring a bell?

(I have checked DVLA records - the registration shows a grey-coloured car from 1957 with a 2.5-litre engine. As they say on WW2 US Navy films - "That is all")
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on November 09, 2013, 08:30:21 AM
Crikey, I'd forgotten this one; seems I forgot to move it to the Black Hole too!

You've done a terrific detective job to find the source.  I did everything I could at the time I was posting this to find out more info, including contacting the newspaper in which it was featured and the organisers but needless to say no-one replied..

I did manage to find out the name of the car and from when it dated, but that was all;  not who built it or what it was based on.

Sorry to say it's not that Alvis but I'll give you a clue: it's much older than 1951!

Locked for you to have a good hunt around!
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: nicanary on November 09, 2013, 08:37:16 AM
You've told me everything I need to know - after posting I re-checked the entry list and saw another possibility, although TBH the bodystyle seems very advanced for a "special" of that date.

1935 Bonstard Special ?
Title: Re: NEH 2608
Post by: Carnut on November 09, 2013, 08:40:45 AM
You've told me everything I need to know - after posting I re-checked the entry list and saw another possibility, although TBH the bodystyle seems very advanced for a "special" of that date.

1935 Bonstard Special ?

Well done!  That is indeed the car.

Strange that there's so little out there about it; I'd love to know more and maybe sooner or later more will appear on the 'Net.

I'll tell you what, I'll give you 2 points for this one as it's so old and was difficult; I had intended to move it to the BH where you would have earned 2 points anyway so we'll pretend I did!
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Bonstard Special
Post by: nicanary on November 09, 2013, 08:42:20 AM
You are an officer and a gentleman. (I stumbled on it whilst looking for something else, as is so often the way)
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Bonstard Special
Post by: Carnut on November 12, 2013, 06:57:44 AM
There's still nothing more about this car on the 'Net.
It was apparently driven by Jack Smithers and below is an unmodified photo of it.
I have no idea why the registration number is so much newer than 1935; the DVLA are reluctant to dish out new numbers just for modified cars, so the modifications must have been very substantial to warrant a new one.
Title: SAC#819 / Alvis Firefly Crested Eagle Special
Post by: SACO on September 27, 2014, 02:29:16 AM
What's this , for 1 point !  :)
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: SACO on October 05, 2014, 09:38:50 AM
Experts !
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: D-type on October 05, 2014, 05:30:16 PM
Is this the E-Type ERA at the time it had been converted into a sports car?
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: SACO on October 06, 2014, 04:52:25 AM
Not the E-Type ERA !
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: SACO on October 21, 2014, 06:51:35 AM
Pros !
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: Wendax on October 21, 2014, 06:53:34 AM
Delahaye?
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: nicanary on October 21, 2014, 07:16:01 AM
That looks remarkably like the Bonstard Special, which we've had before. It's either that, or the Routledge Alvis Speed 20-based special.
Title: Re: SAC#819
Post by: SACO on October 21, 2014, 09:03:54 AM
Yes !I have Alvis Firefly Crested Eagle Special !
But 1 point for nicanary ! :)
It's a repost ! Please merge with NEH 2608
Title: Re: SAC#819 / Alvis Firefly Crested Eagle Special
Post by: nicanary on October 21, 2014, 09:13:09 AM
Thanks for the point - it has the same registration plate so it's certainly the same car. Your puzzle means we now know more about the car, in that it's a special based on an Alvis Firefly.

I have found another photo of the car on a specialst Alvis site, and the caption reads Alvis Firefly/Speed 20 Special - Routledge. This surname could be the builder of the car, although it was called the Bonstard Special elsewhere.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Alvis Firefly "Bonstard Special"
Post by: Paul Jaray on October 26, 2015, 05:57:57 PM
Routledge Special, built by Norman Routledge around the lale 1950's.
It is based on a shortened Firefliy chassis, powered by a highly breathed-upon SB
Speed 20 engine (even the pistons are drilled!) with 3.8 diff and 18 inch wheels.

Title: DAR #14 - Routledge Special
Post by: D-type on August 03, 2021, 12:55:22 PM
What is the name and the basis of this kit car special?
(Sorry the original was a duplicate  :( )
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: D-type on August 08, 2021, 11:55:18 AM
No takers
Does this help?
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: D-type on August 17, 2021, 02:26:52 PM
No takers.  So it's up to the Experts
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: FrontMan on August 17, 2021, 03:22:55 PM
...is it Norman Routeledge's "Tea Bag" ?
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: D-type on August 18, 2021, 06:19:54 PM
My source simply says "Routledge Special" with no mention of "Tea Bag"
Locked for you to give me the chassis and engine to complete the answer.
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: FrontMan on August 19, 2021, 05:25:55 AM
There is much information out there, some of it contradictory, regarding the construction of this machine. However, the chassis frame is from an Alvis Firefly.
Opinions vary a little with respect to the engine;...some say Crested Eagle, others, Speed Twenty. The gearbox seems to have general concensus as being from a Speed Twenty. Sections of the body are said to be from a Marendaz Special;...from the photographs I respectfuly suggest that this is probably the main body tub. Specifically, the scuttle area, and doors, possibly from the 13/70 model. Mr. Routledge started work in 1951, but it was not until six years later when the car was registered for the road. Extensive, but meticulously planned drilling to the chassis is what led to the sobriquet "Tea Bag". :joker:
Title: Re: DAR # 14
Post by: D-type on August 19, 2021, 01:22:28 PM
A point is winging your way.
My internet source has it as a 1928 Marendaz Special with a 1930s Alvis engine.  But with a special,who knows?
Title: Re: DAR #14 - Routeledge Special
Post by: Carnut on August 19, 2021, 01:36:17 PM
You just need to correct the spelling in the title in the first post ('Routledge' not 'Routeledge').
Title: Re: DAR #14 - Routeledge Special
Post by: FrontMan on August 19, 2021, 02:00:50 PM
Sorry, spelling is not my fortay :).  Indeed, specials are often a nightmare to DNA test. Attached, is just one of my leads, by a respected researcher who was clarifying details in response to opinions voiced on that same Alvis site. The 1931 Marendaz Special matches the scuttle on the puzzle car, and is different to the 1928 model.

.........and thank you, D-Type, for your gracious award despite conflicting evidence. Is it possible to have points 3D-printed? :joker: 
 
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Alvis Firefly "Bonstard Special" AKA "Routledge Special"
Post by: nicanary on August 19, 2021, 02:05:52 PM
It's been a puzzle twice already! Now merged.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Alvis Firefly "Bonstard Special" AKA "Routledge Special"
Post by: FrontMan on August 19, 2021, 02:08:10 PM
The attachment...at last.
Title: Re: Solved - NEH 2608: 1935 Alvis Firefly "Bonstard Special" AKA "Routledge Special"
Post by: FrontMan on August 19, 2021, 02:24:14 PM
.....and a few seconds fame on YouTube..........https://youtu.be/xDhkTMn5-gA