Author Topic: Solved: GTE 254 - 1952 Thomson (5th and final) prototype by Jack Thomson / Small Cars Ltd  (Read 3261 times)

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Offline gte4289

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #50 on: January 16, 2020, 06:49:56 AM »

Online oko94

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #51 on: January 16, 2020, 06:59:50 AM »
Is the builder known for other cars ?

Offline gte4289

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #52 on: January 16, 2020, 07:11:34 AM »
Is the builder known for other cars ?
Yes

Online oko94

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #53 on: January 16, 2020, 07:13:04 AM »
Thomson ?

Offline gte4289

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #54 on: January 16, 2020, 07:16:47 AM »
Thomson ?
Yes! Locked for you to more specifically identify this Thomson creation.

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #55 on: January 16, 2020, 07:32:54 AM »
1949-1954 Wiles Thomson

Offline gte4289

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #56 on: January 16, 2020, 11:38:07 AM »
You have the correct car so the point is yours! I'll post more details later.

Offline gte4289

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Re: GTE 254
« Reply #57 on: January 16, 2020, 12:38:15 PM »
Working with machinist Harold Clisby, Jack Thomson constructed the first 'Thomson' prototype automobile in 1938. He designed and built his own engine, transmission, differential, braking system and uni-body chassis. Thomson used this prototype to secure investment from the Wiles brothers, with whom he then produced three Wiles Thomson prototypes under the company Wiles Manufacturing Company Ltd. The Wiles brothers pulled out of the venture in 1949. (Two of these earlier prototypes have been featured on AP.)

Thomson formed his own company, Small Cars Ltd, in 1950 and began work on what would be his fifth and final prototype automobile. Jack Thomson died in 1952, leaving the unfinished prototype to be completed by his son-in-law, Doug Giles. The puzzle car is that final prototype. It is not a 'Wiles Thomson', but the one and only 'Thomson' prototype automobile produced by Small Cars Ltd.

[Based on the image you've posted, it's possible Giles stuffed in the Ford 10 motor instead of the intended Thomson 2-cylinder and that he didn't complete the project until 1954. It's wrong to label the car a 'Wiles Thomson', however.]

The completed prototype and Thomson 2-cylinder motor:
« Last Edit: January 16, 2020, 12:56:32 PM by gte4289 »