History Can anyone identify the car up on the lift?

This is bugging the shit out of me. Looks a lot like a Rene Bonnet Djet but the windshield pillar angle is off. The only vintage Euro car I can find with a windshield like that is the Simca Aronde and the roof is wrong for that. I can't waste any more time searching for it but it's really bugging me now.

 

Vauxhall built some cars with wraparound w/s during that time ....

 

There examples of Alfa Romeo cars in the 1950's are sure close look a likes.

 

1956 or 57 simca aronde coupe. Might even have a flathead sixty in it.

 

Okay, we've beaten the hell out of the "European" car with no definitive answer, and there's doubt in some folks minds regarding the "Model A", so is that a '56 Chevy on the back rack behind these two?

 

I thought it looked more like a Rambler.

 

Here is the Vauxhall Cresta and a FIAT.

 

Yes, a ‘56 Chevy. But, I too am totally stumped on the actual identity of the car on the rack.
Spent considerable time searching the net for photos.....to no avail. The frustrating thing is it has certain characteristics of well known makes/models, yet enough distinctly different features, especially that damn wraparound windshield, to defy positive ID.

Ray

 

Alfa has 5 stud wheels?

 

"Bill Frick" Vignale-Cadillac maybe????

 

That red car is the closest I've seen yet...

 

Another view

 

Yes,it must be a Vignale-Cadillac

 

That Banger sure does look like a Gemsa or Morales head.
Look at the dist machine, is that an oscilloscope to see the spark wave form?
Must have been a pretty well equipped shop for the time.

J

 

That's not a 56 Chev in back to me, more like a real early 50's or late 40's Studie. Look at the wheels and center hub.

 

Sooooo, Next, what is the little black car in the background.

 

http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=50&g2_itemId=2410

https://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Bill_Frick_Motors

http://www.americansportscars.com/frick.html

http://www.velocetoday.com/the-frick-vignales/

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/05...ick-special-gt-has-projected-value-of-200000/

Apparently Frick had three specials built by Vignale, and two of them still exist. The car on the lift, from what I could find, no longer exists. The Frick specials were built on Studebaker chassis with Cadillac power.

 

This is the prototype. And then a coupe and a convertible followed.

 

its not a ford move on!

 

Holy shit thank you! That was eating my brain and I'm sure I would have spent the better part of the afternoon looking for it in vain. Now I can get some work done! Well played DJCruiser!

 

Gaz - you troublemaker!

Dave

 

After viewing your links, and the magazine cover, it appears the Vignale cars Frick modified/built were different from one to the next. The OP’s photo best matches the magazine cover car. Wish I could have it

Ray

 

Like I said coach built, even the closing edge of the door line varies in some of the pic's...
I am surprised it is a Cadillac powered product but sure looks good.
So what engines did they run for European market???

 

I see what you mean about the grille. However, look at the rear wheel opening...it's teardrop like a '56 Chevy. Don't recall any Studebaker of that era having that shape rear wheel opening. The wheelbase does look a little short for a Chevy though.

Ray

 

I have to agree with many of you, the Frick Vignale-Cadillac is the closest thing that has been suggested. The A pillar and C pillar shapes look right. So does the trim on the side of the car and the front bumpers with the little over-riders. The shape of the door at the rear also looks identical.

What is still interesting is that the car on the lift has steel rather than wire wheels, and of course the way the rear axles droop made me think it was a rear engine. Until this suggestion came along, I was researching NSU-Prinz and variants of a Fiat 850 maybe a Fiat-Abarth or some such thing. Both are rear engienes.

Interesting how so many Italian cars had similar styling details in the 1950s and early 60s between Lancia, Fiat, Alfa, Contessa, Cisitalia and Abarth. Even cars in Argentina built by Autoar (who had rights to build Italian cars) show these details.

Well, I'm prepared to close this case unless someone can't quite let it go!! For all you hard working detectives, drink a beverage of your choice and a great New Year!!

 

If it's a rear engine the fender protector is at the wrong end.

I also spent awhile trying to find it, and it was fun seeing all the different cars I came across. Thanks for posting it.

 

Swing axle rear suspension was used in many front engine cars....Triumph Spitfire was a common one, that I'm familiar with. But there were many others

 

Looks like a Hillman to me.

 

Just to muddy the waters a little. There are pictures of an East German car called a Wartburg posted on page 4992 of the Vintage Shots thread that look very similar to the car on the lift.