Topic: Solved NIC#1080 - Attenborough Special

[nicanary]

Singer?

No.

[tobytwirl]

Is it an obscure engine or can I keep guessing?

[tobytwirl]

MG?

[nicanary]

It's not an obscure make of engine whatsoever. Not MG !

[tobytwirl]

About 1500cc?

[nicanary]

About 1500cc?

Bigger.

[tobytwirl]

Not a Ford/ Mercury V8.................

[nicanary]

Not a Ford/ Mercury V8.................

  No.

[tobytwirl]

Aston Martin?

[nicanary]

Aston Martin?

Yes! LOCKED for you - it shouldn't take long now.

[tobytwirl]

I am beginning to doubt my sanity ........ why can I find nothing about this car. Please unlock.

[nicanary]

I am beginning to doubt my sanity ........ why can I find nothing about this car. Please unlock.

OK. UNLOCKED. I wouldn't call it a very well-known car, but when I found the puzzle image, I recognised the name.  It's the only image I could find - I prefer to use a period photo if I can find one, but naturally this is a recent one.

[Allan L]

I've had another go at John Bolster's "Specials" and I'm confused because I think I remember the car I shall suggest looking rather different. However, here goes:
The Attenborough Special had a Frazer Nash chassis but without the usual multi-speed chain drive. It had an MG ENV preselector gearbox followed by a 'Nash bevel box and then duplicated chain drives to a solid axle. The engine was a sohc 1950cc unit from the experimental  Aston Martin "Atom" and the body was a narrow two-seater from a 200-mile-race Talbot-Darracq.

[nicanary]

I've had another go at John Bolster's "Specials" and I'm confused because I think I remember the car I shall suggest looking rather different. However, here goes:
The Attenborough Special had a Frazer Nash chassis but without the usual multi-speed chain drive. It had an MG ENV preselector gearbox followed by a 'Nash bevel box and then duplicated chain drives to a solid axle. The engine was a sohc 1950cc unit from the experimental  Aston Martin "Atom" and the body was a narrow two-seater from a 200-mile-race Talbot-Darracq.

That's a lot more information than I could find, but you've found the right car. According to my notes the Aston Martin engine was supercharged.

It's the Attenborough Special as it is today, so the point goes to Allan L.

[tobytwirl]

I cannot believe that I went through Bolster's book and didn't even notice the Attenborough Special ........

[nicanary]

I cannot believe that I went through Bolster's book and didn't even notice the Attenborough Special ........

I don't have that book. (Note to self...........)

If anyone can find a period photo it woiuld enhance this thread - I have a feeling that the modern car has changed a bit.

[Allan L]

I cannot believe that I went through Bolster's book and didn't even notice the Attenborough Special ........

Nor did I the first time - was mainly looking at pictures, which in the Attenborough's case there are none.
I think I remember Paul Jaye racing it at VSCC meetings a while ago, before he got the use of David Baldock's Alta.