Author Topic: Solved - NEH 4791: Rootes Group proposed pick-up truck for CKD export (Read 1035 times)

You've got the right vehicle as it is a Rootes Group proposal.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'designed by CKD' though; it was the intention to export this pick-up truck (I suppose to 3rd world countries) in CKD ("Completely Knocked Down" i.e. kit) form for assembly locally.
I doubt if any were ever actually made.

Another point!

Wendax · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2016, 04:53:10 AM »

Quote from: Carnut on August 09, 2016, 11:38:24 AM

Quote from: luisps on August 09, 2016, 10:45:14 AM
A FARMOBILE prototyp?

Nothing to do with Farmobile..

I'm still not convinced that there is no connection to the Farmobil, as the similarities are too obvious. There is a nice article on a website dedicated to the Hillman Imp where it says about the Rootes Farmobil:

Quote

The original development work for this light agricultural all-purpose flat-bed truck was undertaken by Steyr Puch in Austria or Fahr Gottmadingen in West Germany according to another source. The rights were sold to Helios in Greece, who produced it with a 700cc BMW Isetta air-cooled engine. Chrysler obtained a controlling interest in Helios (Chrysler Hellas S.A.I.).
Chrysler International then bought the world-wide manufacturing rights. They developed the basic vehicle considerably. They imported two Helios-made vehicles for trials in the UK. Both got fitted with the water-cooled Hillman Imp engine, with a front-mounted radiator. (1965)

It goes on:

Quote

After the board decided not to continue the experiment, one was broken up (?) and the other was road-registered (CVC 631D) in the name of Humber Motor Company. Six months later this was sold to a farmer in Devon, who used it from 1965 until 1986 under 'agricultural exemption'.
When the little vehicle suffered a total brake failure, it was consigned to a barn and advertised. Ron Werring of Launceston bought it. He and his son Fred restored it from 1991 until 1995, at which time Thoroughbred & Classic Cars featured a ¼ page article on this farming curiosity which proclaimed the restoration complete and the vehicle for sale.

It was sold in 1996 to a collector in Leicester. At that time it was thought that this was the only remaining example of the two prototypes that Rootes outfitted with Imp engines. However, the man in Leicester subsequently located the second one in a scrapyard in (?) East Anglia. It differed in several ways from the one R. & F. Werring restored.
Fred Werring from The Maya Truste for Vehicle Preservation: "I understand he was negotiating to buy this machine, but I have not heard whether he was successful."

Simon Benoy bought it and still had it March 2000, saying it was in a very poor condition but worthy of attention and awaiting restoration.

Does anybody happen to have the T&CC article?

Carnut · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2016, 07:30:53 AM »

I'll have it but it's well out of reach..

I wasn't aware of any Farmobil connection. The site I got the picture from (not the one you mention) only said the following about it:

QUOTE
Rootes also had a proposal for a compact light commercial designed for CKD assembly using deliberately simple body work in less developed countries.
UNQUOTE

So I'm sorry for any confusion.

News:

Author Topic: Solved - NEH 4791: Rootes Group proposed pick-up truck for CKD export (Read 1035 times)