Topic: barrett's no.389 - solved (?) - Reg Phillips' Fairley Jowett Special

[barrett]

I don't think I've posted this one before. I have no information, other than what you see here. A point if you can provide proof of what it is

[barrett]

Up

[richard cuyler]

British car on a Standard 8/10 chassis?

[barrett]

Certainly British, and probably a prewar car provided the chassis, but I don't know what make

[richard cuyler]

Is it a home-build?

[barrett]

Surely a one-off homebuilt than an attempt at production, although it does have a maker's badge (that I cannot decipher)

[longtom]

Looks like a Land Rover Badge ....... 

[barrett]

Up...

[Allan L]

I had this down as an early Turner 803 - even the badge is right shape - but can't find anything like it.
I now wonder if perhaps it's a Rochdale but again no luck backing that idea up.

[barrett]

When I bought the photograph I was told it was supposed to be a Turner - but, the early Turners are all fairly well documented and it's not one of the first eight road cars. By the time the 803 came out there was a standard factory body. It might be a Turner, but I did some digging in this area and couldn't find anything that matched.

It's certainly not a Rochdale GRP body, although it's possible it was one of their early aluminium attempts.

The registration number, apparently, is a prewar issue.

[Carnut]

The registration number, apparently, is a prewar issue.

Yes, it's a Rotherham issue from about February 1938.

[nicanary]

The registration number, apparently, is a prewar issue.

Yes, it's a Rotherham issue from about February 1938.

Which suggests that it's a rebodied chassis from pre-WW2. The bodyshell looks very "shiny" which hints at GRP - have you noticed how the bottom of the sill is not in line with the bottom of the door? It's an odd design feature, almost as if the body is supposed to be lower at the rear, maybe to suggest "speed".

[barrett]

Indeed. I believe it's a prewar car rebodied in the 1950s with a GRP body, but it's a one-off rather than a commercially available item.

The photograph is very sharp and clear and although it looks slightly ad hoc, I would guess it was taken by a professional so chances are there was some press coverage when it was new....

[tobytwirl]

I am fairly sure this is the first Fairley, with I believe Jowett power.

[barrett]

Well, that's the closest answer I've seen so far!

We could find out for certain if somebody can discover the registration of the Fairley, which has been blanked out by Woodinsight for his puzzle. I have a feeling my photograph has a Sheffield address on the back, so it does seem to fit.

[tobytwirl]

Or can anyone recognise the driver as Reg Phillips ..............?

It is curious because I have only ever seen 2 photos of the Bluemobile until this one came along showing a white car. The later '5 seater' is completely different, but the two 2 seaters, although very similar, are not the same when you look at details like bumpers and wheels, never mind the more obvious headlight differences. Is one an evolution of the other, or were they 2 different cars?

[barrett]

Right, it seems the Jowett folks can't provide the registration of the Fairley to confirm, but the more I look the more convinced I am these are the same car - everything from the scuttle back looks identical, not to mention the badge on the front.

I've given tobytwirl a point and will move this to solved. Well done all for solving this mystery for me.