Author Topic: Solved: PN #772 -- One off by John Cowperthwaite, 1975-1979 (Read 1073 times)

nicanary · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2015, 04:56:11 PM »

Quote from: pnegyesi on July 26, 2015, 04:34:28 PM

Here's all I know: "Underneath ??'s one-off recreation of a classic Mercedes lurks the running gear of a BMC 30cwt van!"
Picture was taken in 1983.

You have been very generous with your clues. I can expect no more. I don't think it looks like a Mercedes SS or similar - I agree with Allan Lupton about the Sunbeam 3-litre. It seems an lot of trouble to go to building this car - surely he could have found a suitable car engine

/

I will continue with my investigations.

Allan L · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2015, 04:40:42 AM »

The late John Mitchell used van chasses as the basis when he was building cars for film work. However the appearance of his products was always quite convincing.

pnegyesi · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2015, 04:56:53 AM »

not him

nicanary · « **Reply #28 on:** July 27, 2015, 08:02:47 AM »

I'm guessing that the engine is the 2.2-litre from an Austin/Morris LD-series van. Carnut has identified the licence plate as being from the 1950s, and he's an expert on that side of things, so I reckon this car was built using parts of a van from that date. It's possible the builder had an old vintage chassis, and mated the 2 together.

I've searched in vain. The photo looks like it could have been taken at a classic car meeting (although the Morgan alongside could be from just about any decade!) and I have looked through the issues of a well-known magazine for 1983. Is this photo from a magazine?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #29 on:** July 27, 2015, 08:23:11 AM »

yes, this is from a magazine. The builder appeared on AP before as he later offered some kitcars with similar design.

nicanary · « **Reply #30 on:** July 27, 2015, 09:24:38 AM »

Bill Hines ?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #31 on:** July 27, 2015, 09:31:44 AM »

Carnut · « **Reply #32 on:** July 27, 2015, 11:52:17 AM »

Gerry Bath?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #33 on:** July 27, 2015, 11:54:29 AM »

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #34 on:** July 27, 2015, 12:42:01 PM »

Nick Green?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #35 on:** July 27, 2015, 01:11:08 PM »

nicanary · « **Reply #36 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:00:50 AM »

Haydn Davis ?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #37 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:51:36 AM »

Djetset · « **Reply #38 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:15:32 PM »

Built by John Wright?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #39 on:** July 29, 2015, 12:27:55 AM »

John, but not Wright

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #40 on:** July 29, 2015, 03:37:53 AM »

Britten?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #41 on:** July 29, 2015, 04:15:18 AM »

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #42 on:** July 29, 2015, 04:37:19 AM »

Frayling?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #43 on:** July 29, 2015, 07:54:32 AM »

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #44 on:** July 29, 2015, 08:20:05 AM »

Jobber?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #45 on:** July 29, 2015, 08:44:14 AM »

Wendax · « **Reply #46 on:** August 04, 2015, 11:03:33 AM »

John Mander?

pnegyesi · « **Reply #47 on:** August 04, 2015, 11:53:35 AM »

Djetset · « **Reply #48 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:40:51 AM »

This car was built by John Cowperthwaite - the founder of the Moss kit car marque - between 1975 and 1979 in Chesterfield on Northern England. As I thought, your photo shows the car at its public debut at Donington in 1981. As already established, it used a 2.2-litre engine from a BMC 30 cwt van. The car was later repainted in white.

pnegyesi · « **Reply #49 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:39:24 PM »

A perfect answer brings your 372th point!!

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Author Topic: Solved: PN #772 -- One off by John Cowperthwaite, 1975-1979 (Read 1073 times)