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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2015 => Topic started by: Paul Jaray on August 06, 2013, 12:25:47 PM

Title: Solved -PJ536- Desert Speed Car by Rox Automobiles, 1984
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 06, 2013, 12:25:47 PM
What is this? 1 point for you.
I do not have the answer but I know it's name, when and why it was built and what powers it...and the missing part (who built it) is not an obscure name (but I don't know it).
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: ValkyrieGT on August 06, 2013, 08:24:09 PM
Centerline wheels, ford bolt pattern. Ford mechanicals?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 07, 2013, 01:48:18 PM
Not Ford-engined.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: faksta on August 07, 2013, 03:19:59 PM
I can't even suppose what was the purpose of this car - clearly not a road-going one and hardly for tarmac with such tyres. Some kind of an autocross racer maybe?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Otto Puzzell on August 07, 2013, 04:43:46 PM
Is it a swamp racer?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 07, 2013, 06:21:17 PM
I thought it was the easiest of the lot!
I can't even suppose what was the purpose of this car - clearly not a road-going one and hardly for tarmac with such tyres. Some kind of an autocross racer maybe?
Follow that path...
Not road-going, not autocross but somewhat close...
Is it a swamp racer?
Not that.
Think easy  ;)
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 08, 2013, 03:17:28 AM
Is it a Rallye car? Maybe a Dakar experimental?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: GrahamClayton on August 08, 2013, 06:42:08 AM
Speedway/oval track racing?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: nicanary on August 08, 2013, 06:43:41 AM
Baja buggy ?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: faksta on August 08, 2013, 12:24:50 PM
Or sand dragster

Changed my mind. Sand dragster would rather have by far more serious rear tyres.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 08, 2013, 02:32:43 PM
Speedway/oval track racing?
Baja buggy ?
Nope...
Is it a Rallye car? Maybe a Dakar experimental?
Precisely! It was developed for the Paris-Dakar.

Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 08, 2013, 03:06:11 PM
I've found it named "Desert Speed Cat" built in France in 1984. Equipped with a tuned Honda 1000cc engine with 140 BHP its structure was a monocoque made of carbon-fibre and a tubular frame. Curb weight was apparently only 260 kg. (!)
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 08, 2013, 03:14:00 PM
So far so good!
That is what I have too.
I can add that top speed was 230km\h and that the equipe that built it was well known in the world of the automobile.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 08, 2013, 03:17:47 PM
What did I tell you? ;D
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 08, 2013, 03:20:08 PM
...and now you know why I wasn't too afraid  ;D
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 08, 2013, 03:28:34 PM
I must look in the racing mags of 1984, but that will take some time...
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: faksta on August 09, 2013, 03:40:06 AM
Could it be related to Yves Sunhill? He raced a single-seater buggy in 1985 Dakar, result unknown (at least where I looked up), and in 1983 he had a VW engined buggy, also single seater.

P.S. That is, of course, in case the car was actually entered in one of Dakars and was not left unfinished or just raced elsewhere.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 09, 2013, 07:13:00 AM
Could it be related to Yves Sunhill? He raced a single-seater buggy in 1985 Dakar, result unknown (at least where I looked up), and in 1983 he had a VW engined buggy, also single seater.

P.S. That is, of course, in case the car was actually entered in one of Dakars and was not left unfinished or just raced elsewhere.
I don't know....all I know is that, according to my source, the name (equipe) behind it is not obscure. 
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 09, 2013, 11:25:21 AM
I would have said "Oreca", but with the same confidence as faksta..
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 09, 2013, 12:53:41 PM
I have not the solution, you should find some proof.
I don't know if it may help:
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on August 09, 2013, 01:06:51 PM
I already tried to decode the lettering, but was unable to find anything so far.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: faksta on August 09, 2013, 02:03:45 PM
Looks like ROX to me, but that doesn't ring any bells :(
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on August 09, 2013, 03:00:03 PM
Could it be related to Yves Sunhill? He raced a single-seater buggy in 1985 Dakar, result unknown (at least where I looked up), and in 1983 he had a VW engined buggy, also single seater.

P.S. That is, of course, in case the car was actually entered in one of Dakars and was not left unfinished or just raced elsewhere.
...my picture cames from a December '84 issue...
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: faksta on August 09, 2013, 03:26:14 PM
I understood you. That is why I looked through 1985 Dakar. I mentioned 1983 car only as an additional information :)
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 05, 2013, 05:40:46 AM
Any news?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Allemano on September 05, 2013, 11:06:50 AM
:shakehead:
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on July 31, 2014, 05:06:53 PM
I wonder how is it possible that there is not a single line more about this car...it was featured in different magazines, built for a pretty known event but it seems to be headed for the black hole now!
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on November 23, 2014, 04:15:13 AM
Last call before Black Hole...
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on November 24, 2014, 08:23:15 AM
BH!
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Arunas on September 29, 2015, 01:18:56 AM
If I may... ;)

Desert Speed Car by Rox Automobiles. Powered by Honda as far as I understand...
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 29, 2015, 04:18:59 AM
 :applause: :applause: :applause:
Finally!
Now, is the same Rox Automobiles producing the Jeep-like Roxy?
According to what I know they are from Puteaux but the article reports Avion...what do you think?
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Wendax on September 29, 2015, 04:37:58 AM
Avion is not a town, but part of the following question where the writer asks whether it is an airplane (avion), a buggy or a formula car. So, it is probably the same company as the maker of the Roxy.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 29, 2015, 04:57:18 AM
Avion is not a town, but part of the following question where the writer asks whether it is an airplane (avion), a buggy or a formula car. So, it is probably the same company as the maker of the Roxy.
You are right, in this context, but actually Avion is a city too, and not very far from Puteaux  ;)
They were active from mid 80s, the same time when this Desert Speed Car was built and I think it's the same company too.
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: oko94 on September 29, 2015, 05:06:31 AM
You are right, in this context, but actually Avion is a city too, and not very far from Puteaux  ;)

The city of Avion is about 200 km from Puteaux, I wouldn't call that "not very far" !
Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Paul Jaray on September 29, 2015, 06:18:37 AM
Ok, I respect your opinion, but that was not the point.  ;)
Time to call it solved!
Well done...after 2 years another Black Hole puzzle is gone!


Title: Re: PJ - 536
Post by: Arunas on September 29, 2015, 06:24:56 AM
Ok, I respect your opinion, but that was not the point.  ;)
Time to call it solved!
Well done...after 2 years another Black Hole puzzle is gone!

Pure accident... it showed up just today :)