Topic: SOLVED: Djetset #664 - 1956 IRH2 Special by Ian Headon

[Djetset]

Sorry, bit it's not the FW Streamliner.

[targhediferro]

Triumph Spitfire connections?

[Djetset]

No Triumph Spitfire links.

[AlexFrance]

Is the body a one-off, or could it be a modified body from a kit-car?

[Djetset]

The body is a one-off.

[AlexFrance]

Here is a quick summary so far:

What it is:

• it uses some Austin 7 components
• it alo uses parts from another well-known car
• it is a British car
• it uses a Ford engine
• body is a one-off

What it is not:

• not a Heron
• not a Speedex Silverstone
• not based around a highly modified Ashley 750
• no Rochdale connection
• doesn't use an MG engine
• not raced by Sally-Ann Brooks in the 1980s
• not the FW Streamliner
• no Triumph Spitfire links

[AlexFrance]

Was it built in the UK?

[Djetset]

Thanks for the summary so far Alex, and yes, it was made in the UK.

[Djetset]

I met the builder of this car earlier this week.  The machine still exists, and he invited me to go and see it in a few months time, so will get some better images of it when I visit.  Until then though, into the Black Hole is goes.

[barrett]

Just bumping this topic. Did you ever go and see the car? I'd love to know more about it

[Djetset]

I've seen the builder/owner of this car a couple of times since my last reply, but sadly I still haven't seen the actual car is it a long way from my part of England.

[Djetset]

Sadly the creator of this Puzzle car passed away last week, so as a mark of respect to a very pleasant and talented racer, car builder, enthusiast and friend, I will award double points (i.e. 4 points) throughout this month only (February 2018) to anyone that can correctly identify this car, especially as it's now been here for almost 5 years 

[nicanary]

Another car by Ian Headon?

It's difficult to date and name this car (if I'm correct in my identification). According to my source it was styled after a car from 1958, and then the source adds that he built trials cars between 1960 and 1964. This car was definitely in storage from 1964. I believe it was built c.1960.

His trials car was named IRH2 which makes no sense, because he'd already built 2 cars by now, a Microplas-bodied Ford special, and this puzzle car. He built 3 trials cars altogether, and then his autocross sports car was named IRH7!

If this is a Headon car, it had a Ford s/v engine, Wolseley Hornet gearbox, Austin back axle, and bits from a Morris Minor. The body wasn't GRP as usual, but hand-beaten aluminium.

[nicanary]

The only image I can find is this - Ian Headon with his successful trials car IRH2 and a hatful of trophies, some of which rest on the bonnet of another car which looks very much like our puzzle.

[Djetset]

Well done again Nicanary as you are correct in identifying this as another Ian Headon special, the IRH2 (IRH being his initials) that he built in 1956, using mainly Ford Popular parts.

His shape for the GRP coachwork was inspired by both the contemporary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Jaguar D-Type, the latter of which he later owned.

Another two points to you fro solving this long-term Black Hole Puzzle, my third one solved with the past week, which just goes to prove that even BH Puzzles are not impossible to find