Topic: Solved - NEH 5583: Triton Mk1 - 1960

[Carnut]

What's this, for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles

[Carnut]

Experts?

[thorax]

powered by a motorcycle engine?

[Carnut]

Yes..

[Rusty Chrome]

It started off in the frst installment as the 'Triton Mk 1' designed by the staff of 'Motorcycle Mechanics' magazine with the help of John Granville Grenffell using a modified Hamblin Cadet bodyshell, they eventually fitted a 500cc MSS Velocette engine and in the final installment it was called the M.M. 3-Wheeler Mk 1

[Carnut]

The story is right, but I was looking for a different name.
My source doesn't mention the Triton, but says this car appeared in an advert in Motorcycle Mechanics magazine in April 1960 as a ??

Locked for you to give me the answer I was looking for!

[Rusty Chrome]

The article in the April 1960 Motorcycle Mechanics is entitled "Build this three wheeler for £150" and at the top of the page of that issue it's called 'Triton Mk.1.' There isn't any advert for it in that issue. In the subsequent articles it's called the 'MM 3-wheeler,' '£150 Three-wheeler' or the 'M. M. 3 Wheeler Mk 1'

[Carnut]

Do you have a copy of that issue?

My source says:

QUOTE
This three-wheeler has an intriguing story. An advert for the so-called ******* appeared in Motorcyle Mechanics magazine in April 1960, the publishers having built a car in a series of features at a reputed all-in cost of £150. ***** had some experience with three-wheeled invalid carriage bodyshells, but this trike was somewhat different, being arrived at by simply reversing a Hamblin Cadet bodyshell, with the nose now forming the tail! There was claimed to be room for two adults and a child in the cockpit, which was protected by a Ford windscreen (a hardtop was mooted as an optional extra).  The tubular steel chassis was made by Buckler and a Velocette 500cc motorcyle engine was fitted. At least one prototype was built, and the intention was to market complete kits for home builders - the chassis was to have cost £85 - but this plan seems never to have transpired.
UNQUOTE

The ***** doesn't say Triton, but if you have a copy of the issue in question and the story above tallies exactly but with Triton Mk1 as the *****s then my source must be wrong!

Any idea at all what else the ****s might represent?

[Rusty Chrome]

The articles were all written by Bob Webb and the car was built with the assistance of ex-Brooklands racing rider and driver John Granville Grenffell at his Weybridge workshop

[Rusty Chrome]

The article does mention that Hamblin have now designed a Mk 2 body for a 3-wheeler with chassis designed by Derek Buckler of Buckler cars, and photos are shown of one being assembled and an artist's impression of the finished car, but it is quite different. The cost of the chassis for the £150 car is given as £50 but it's made by Granville Grenfell, not Hamblin. I can only guess your source has got things mixed up a bit.

[Carnut]

Aha - that's the right answer - Hamblin Mk2!
In fact my puzzle picture differs quite a lot from that picture in the article you have posted - notably the air intakes, mudguards, lights and steering.
So it could be the writer of the article I have has got mixed up with the article in Motorcycle Mechanics as both cars used a reversed Hamblin Cadet body, a chassis designed by Derek Buckler and a Velocette engine! Clearly not a coincidence, as the Hamblin must be a development of the Triton.
Glad you got to the bottom of it and you've earned a point.

[Djetset]

For what it's worth, I'd had this one saved for some time as a potential puzzle, based on a small mention in an old Classic & Sportscar magazine (as below), but I never got to post it as I couldn't find out any additional information about the three-wheeler, which has now been resolved  . 

[Rusty Chrome]

As I said previously, the Hamblin Mk 2 is actually shown in the first article and is an entirely different vehicle to the one in this puzzle. The photo you posted is of the M.M. 3-Wheeler Mk 1 (which if it where a Hamblin would be a Hamblin Mk 1). Your photo was used in the July 1960 installment of the series of articles - the Hamblin Mk 2 used a new and entirely different bodyshell and not a reversed Hamblin Cadet!

[Carnut]

OK, I've changed the title to Triton Mk1 as it seems the Hamblin Mk2 is a different car..

Below is what I was working from; I'll have to tell the author (who is actually a member here but hasn't logged on for a long time):