pippy Posted September 29 Share #23961 Posted September 29 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, wlaidlaw said: Thank you very much Philip. I keep meaning to go to Brooklands again. The last time I went was close to thirty years ago in my Rabagliati Brooklands Special Speed Six Bentley and I got permission to take it up on the banking, which was then all still covered in moss. It was quite dicey as if I slowed down, the car started slithering sideways on the moss. I had two of my children with me, squealing like mad in fear that the car was going to tip over. The secret was to go on a series of loops from the bottom towards the top and then down again. I got the staff in the starter's box to look up some old records and we found that BXB8 had done a 117.5 MPH lap in 1937, with Rabagliati at the wheel on a test session (he no longer raced after the horrible accident in 1930). This record for a 4 seater car stood until 1939, when it was beaten by Hugh Hunter in an 8C-2900 Alfa Romeo, with a 125MPH lap. Wonderful stuff - as always - Wilson! My first visit to Brooklands was 25 years ago when I participated in the 'Aircool 2000' event in (you guessed it) the year 2000. A number of folks from the Porsche 914 register arranged to take part and we all had a Grand Day Out. One of the highlights of the whole celebration was the opportunity for us to drive our cars up the Test Hill and (if they could get to the top!) on to the remaining banked part of the circuit after which we duly drove around the banked, bumpy section in echelon-form and had the most memorable time. Brooklands has been one of the few museums which (IMX /IMO) has greatly improved and increased both the number and the quality of their exhibits in recent times. Philip. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 29 Posted September 29 Hi pippy, Take a look here Name this car..... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted September 29 Share #23962 Posted September 29 Here's another clue Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! There would have been some LHD versions too ... which is another clue if you're aware of the car's history BW, dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! There would have been some LHD versions too ... which is another clue if you're aware of the car's history BW, dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5869385'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted September 29 Share #23963 Posted September 29 The back is very reminiscent of an A90 Austin Atlantic, including the tail lights but my British coach building book does not mention a Vanden Plas one off body. There was a one off Estate done by Abbott of Farnham, which ended up in a nunnery in Edinburgh. It was made for the manager of the Frensham Estate in 1950, where at a later period my cousin was the manager, when it was owned by ICI. He tried to find out what had happened to this car without success. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted September 29 Share #23964 Posted September 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, wlaidlaw said: The back is very reminiscent of an A90 Austin Atlantic, including the tail lights but my British coach building book does not mention a Vanden Plas one off body. There was a one off Estate done by Abbott of Farnham, which ended up in a nunnery in Edinburgh. It was made for the manager of the Frensham Estate in 1950, where at a later period my cousin was the manager, when it was owned by ICI. He tried to find out what had happened to this car without success. Wilson Spot on Wilson. Likely all the export models were Vanden Plas?? Few more pix including a poorly photographed description but which shows its history if read / interpolated: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photographed at the Peterborough Maxey Classic Car Show August 16 2025. I've always admired this model; my Uncle Lawrence acquired one c. 1957 and it looked so very different to the other more popular BMC / Rootes / Ford / Vauxhall models. A 100mph streamlined 2 door sports saloon designed and built for the USA market where it could not compete with the XK 120. Originally introduced as a 4 seat drop head coupé in 1948 , the two door sports saloon was introduced in 1949 This example survived in its original NZ warm climate. Nearly all other examples have succumbed to corrosion. Car is MOTd but appears to be very seldom driven. A very rare Vanden Plas Austin A90 Atlantic. Leica CL / TL 18mm (poor man's Leica Q equiv. ish and pocketable) The TL 18mm is a fine and very compact ... but has its critics. BW, dunk Edited September 30 by dkCambridgeshire 4 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photographed at the Peterborough Maxey Classic Car Show August 16 2025. I've always admired this model; my Uncle Lawrence acquired one c. 1957 and it looked so very different to the other more popular BMC / Rootes / Ford / Vauxhall models. A 100mph streamlined 2 door sports saloon designed and built for the USA market where it could not compete with the XK 120. Originally introduced as a 4 seat drop head coupé in 1948 , the two door sports saloon was introduced in 1949 This example survived in its original NZ warm climate. Nearly all other examples have succumbed to corrosion. Car is MOTd but appears to be very seldom driven. A very rare Vanden Plas Austin A90 Atlantic. Leica CL / TL 18mm (poor man's Leica Q equiv. ish and pocketable) The TL 18mm is a fine and very compact ... but has its critics. BW, dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5869398'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted September 30 Share #23965 Posted September 30 Open to all to post the next car. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted September 30 Share #23966 Posted September 30 8 hours ago, dkCambridgeshire said: Spot on Wilson. Likely all the export models were Vanden Plas?? Few more pix including a poorly photographed description but which shows its history if read / interpolated: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photographed at the Peterborough Maxey Classic Car Show August 16 2025. I've always admired this model; my Uncle Lawrence acquired one c. 1957 and it looked so very different to the other more popular BMC / Rootes / Ford / Vauxhall models. A 100mph streamlined 2 door sports saloon designed and built for the USA market where it could not compete with the XK 120. Originally introduced as a 4 seat drop head coupé in 1948 , the two door sports saloon was introduced in 1949 This example survived in its original NZ warm climate. Nearly all other examples have succumbed to corrosion. Car is MOTd but appears to be very seldom driven. A very rare Vanden Plas Austin A90 Atlantic. Leica CL / TL 18mm (poor man's Leica Q equiv. ish and pocketable) The TL 18mm is a fine and very compact ... but has its critics. BW, dunk To my uneducated eye, it has styling elements of Austin, Jaguar and DKW. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted September 30 Share #23967 Posted September 30 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is the missing Abbott modified body on the A90 Atlantic. When I was young our doctor had an A90 Atlantic and I seem to recall he was not too enamoured. He swapped it for a Sunbeam Talbot Alpine. Wilson Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5869489'>More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 1 Share #23968 Posted October 1 On 9/30/2025 at 12:12 AM, dkCambridgeshire said: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Dunk; do you (or does anyone!) know whether the centre-section of the rear window opens / drops-down into the bodywork behind the rear seat? I'm curious about the small metal fitment centre-top of the glass pane. Philip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted October 1 Share #23969 Posted October 1 I have downloaded Dunk's photo and blown it up. The fitment in the rear window glass appears to be a radio aerial of some sort. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 1 Share #23970 Posted October 1 As things seem to be a bit quiet for the time being I hope no-one minds if I post something to keep us going along? Nice little runabout spotted when I was out with the Monochrom the other day. The fact that this car will, therefore, only be seen in shades of grey is of no importance as it represents how the car looked in reality... Usual stuff if you would all be so kind and Best of Good Fortune; Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5870084'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted October 1 Share #23971 Posted October 1 Porsche Taycan? Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 1 Share #23972 Posted October 1 4 hours ago, wlaidlaw said: Porsche Taycan?.... No; not a Taycan Wilson. Although the Manufacturer, these days, has little in common with their origins the Marque has existed, intermittently, for a considerably longer timeframe that Porsche. Another crop? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5870235'>More sharing options...
NigelG Posted October 1 Share #23973 Posted October 1 11 hours ago, wlaidlaw said: I have downloaded Dunk's photo and blown it up. The fitment in the rear window glass appears to be a radio aerial of some sort. Wilson The rear window winds down into the body via a driver (or passenger)- operated handle mounted in the front centre of the roof lining. A vintage Top Gear clip shows it operating… 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 1 Share #23974 Posted October 1 (edited) 13 hours ago, pippy said: Dunk; do you (or does anyone!) know whether the centre-section of the rear window opens / drops-down into the bodywork behind the rear seat? I'm curious about the small metal fitment centre-top of the glass pane. Philip. Philip, The three-piece, wrap-around, rear window's 'centre section' is lowered into the boot via a remote 'winder' fitted above the front windscreen. If I see the car at any future classic car events I'll try and take a few more interior pix. Not all examples illustrated online include the accessory / fitment referred to by Wilson as an aerial. The convertible model included optional (£40 extra) electro-hydraulic operated windows. EDIT: Posted before reading Nigel's #23961 .... thank you Nigel The old Top Gear video includes some negative comments about the car but the styling is quite pleasing to my eyes – and its allegedly average handling could likely have been improved. Edited October 1 by dkCambridgeshire 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted October 2 Share #23975 Posted October 2 I suspect that the average handling could have something to do with Austin's obsession with using Armstrong lever arm shock absorbers as a top link on the independent front suspension. They neither were very good as shock absorbers and with their rather short top links resulted in less than ideal geometry. I replaced them completely on my racing Austin Healey 3000 BN7, with a new fabricated longer top wishbone, new top mount, inboard of the original and telescopic Koni shock absorbers, with a considerable improvement in handling. The whole thing was offered as a kit by the UK Koni distributors, along with a kit to replace the lever arm dampers at the rear as well. Wilson 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 2 Share #23976 Posted October 2 10 hours ago, NigelG said: The rear window winds down into the body via a driver (or passenger)- operated handle mounted in the front centre of the roof lining. A vintage Top Gear clip shows it operating… "The model Dinky toys were more successful...and they lasted longer"... 😸 Thanks for finding that clip from the classic days of Top Gear! Small point of Trivia; the son of Chris Goffey. one of this incarnation's presenters, was (is?) the drummer / backing vocalist of the 'Britpop' band Supergrass! Philip. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 2 Share #23977 Posted October 2 No guesses as to the identity of the Mystery Car? Might a clue be useful? The manufacturer's roots date back a century although during that time there was a hiatus of considerable length... Another crop; Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5870399'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 2 Share #23978 Posted October 2 2 hours ago, wlaidlaw said: I suspect that the average handling could have something to do with Austin's obsession with using Armstrong lever arm shock absorbers as a top link on the independent front suspension. They neither were very good as shock absorbers and with their rather short top links resulted in less than ideal geometry. I replaced them completely on my racing Austin Healey 3000 BN7, with a new fabricated longer top wishbone, new top mount, inboard of the original and telescopic Koni shock absorbers, with a considerable improvement in handling. The whole thing was offered as a kit by the UK Koni distributors, along with a kit to replace the lever arm dampers at the rear as well. Wilson My Uncle Lawrence kept his s/h A90 Atlantic for just a few weeks in 1957 before replacing it. However, the very lasting impression of its 'styling' remains 'embedded'. Perhaps a little more attention to its shortcomings prior to release could have created a more successful model. Resources to develop new cars were scarce in 1946/47 when the Atlantic was first envisioned – and the marketing team misjudged the car's too optimistic USA sales potential. BW, dunk 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted October 2 Share #23979 Posted October 2 Philip, Could this be a Spyker? A friend of my brother's, a very well known historic racer, bought a Spyker and said it was the worst car he had ever had. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 2 Share #23980 Posted October 2 1 hour ago, wlaidlaw said: ...Could this be a Spyker? A friend of my brother's, a very well known historic racer, bought a Spyker and said it was the worst car he had ever had... No, Wilson, not a Spyker. A bit more of the front? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/119687-name-this-car/?do=findComment&comment=5870452'>More sharing options...
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