Couldn't find anything more on that car in an admittedly hurried search, except a rear 3/4 view with a dodgy URL. These Invictas had 4½-litre Meadows sixes, if memory serves. I'd expect those to be about the same size and shape as a larger GMC or Ford six; much the same character too.
Zoran, many thanx for the videos. The first two almost seem like models, are they? I also liked seeing the Bluebird, too. What a fine looking car. They remind me of another favorite I have, the 1934 Austin Martin (the 15-98 short chassis, if I have it right). Gary
_________________________________________ Hello Gary,It was my joy and fun to search a little more when see something interesting! Dawie (thank you!) show us quite interesting photo of magnificent English sport automobile from higher class, but for me something was strange there – looks as good photo-shop. For the second video I couldn't be sure but for the first I thought too that automobile could be just excellent model and not real. My mistake, it is original and very expensive: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20148/lot/315/ However, some photos still looks to me photo-shopped, but now that is quite normal to be used. Only, I wouldn't like such configuration of wheels – rear are too small and too fat for that period, beside being different form front wheels and reserve one... I do not like too much modifications of otherwise magnificent cars, but really of any antic cars. Happily, such modifications could be easily re-turned to original. I know that many of vintage sport-cars were modified in that way for racing, but... Your quite right – shown Aston-martin is magnificent, one of the most beautiful sport cars in that smaller class! Ciao, ZoranP.S.: Would be satisifed with any variant of Austin-7 or Midget M-Type, or anything similar - cycle-cars included!
50's Specials... just for fun I hit ebay a couple of weeks ago looking for info / articles on Allards just to have a basic list of components, specs, testing data, etc.. In the process (happily) I also somehow stumbled on a listing for a copy of the May 1950 Road & Track with a two page article on the Baldwin Specials. Even more amazing, in a side bar on the contents page were a couple of policy statements - one on sports cars, and the other identifying that particular issue as the first in a planned annual series that would also cover hot rods!!! Of course being only 2 year sold at the time, I never subscribed and so I don't know how long their annual series on hot rods continued. Regardless, I found the article on the Baldwin Mercury Special very interesting, and encouraging. Built in the Santa Barbara, CA garage of Mr. Willis Baldwin, his sleek ride sat on a virtually stock 46 Ford chassis! Well, gol-eee! Here are the scans... hope I don't get arrested. As many of you know, this is one famous old special. Now, how can I get my 29 coupe body wrapped over that?!?!? Gary
On your 'spec sheet' in the last post there is an error : 3-5/16" X 4-1/8" = 284.4"(+/-), not 248.4". Sorry, but as an old Flathead fan I needed to mention it.
Speaking of Crosley, not many people are able to distinguish between Crosley of the USA and Crossley of Britain. A very few specials have been built on the basis of the latter: The company later concentrated on buses.
The Invicta company was started by a couple of steam car enthusiasts who attempted to build a conventional car with steam like smoothness and pulling power. They used a 4 1/2 liter Meadows bus engine which was oversize for the car, to get the power and flexibility they wanted. It turned out big engine/small car is a good formula for performance and their best selling model was a short wheelbase roadster in a low slung frame. One of the car's features was a radiator mounted on rubber dog balls. Later they went the opposite way and made a car with the same chassis and a 1 1/2 liter engine.
I believe this is a copy of Neil Stuat's original "Stuat Special" , but Neil did build the replica , his first special also had his own 2pc finned heads & 2pc twin carb intake. I own an original Neil Stuat twin carb intake. Neil also built a Jag powered special . Neil is a very talented gentleman & I am blessed to know him . There are several other New Zealand build specials that are a credit to their builders. Do a search for the "Frangapelli Special" owned by my great friend Russell Haines , it is still raced on a regular basis & most often beats some very expensive opponents. Cheers KiWi-L100 camshaft ...Tony
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/1589406@N24/pool/ ... something more about NZ specials, mostly racing cars! Ciao, Zoran
This is a nose from a sports racer or kit car I found lately all I have is the front end.I added a sketch but it probably didn't look like that?
a special australian; https://www.mossgreen.com.au/m/lot-details/index/catalog/216/lot/100440/THE-CHAMBERLAIN-8 for the sound; [video=youtube;Mvq7pwLjpNI]
This H-mod has a lot of history back to the late 50's and early 60's. built by George Scott owner of Oakland Aviation, body work (i'm told) by the late Jack Hagemann Sr. George died in a plane crash and was sold as a box of parts put back together and driven on the street. Then sat for a long time before being rebuilt and raced at Laguna Sega and Monterey Raceway in some Vintage races. The car sat again for over 20 years, Till i bought it. ...Bob Graham built the engine that is in the car now. Was told it was 65 HP. All BRAJE equipted. Forged crank, Solex carbs, Mg 4 speed aluminum flywheel ,Fiat 1100 and 1200 (Topolino) type suspension and aluminum finned drum brakes.
Gang, I took a trip down to Naples, FL to see the Revs Museum (Collier Collection) today and here are some of the images. Flash pix were not allowed so they are a little soft, sorry. An amazing place but you need to make reservations to attend and it's only open a few days a week. If you are in that area, don't miss it. Some of these cars qualify as Specials to me, some just had Hemi's! Some were elegant, some just stupid fast for their size (the FAZA Fiat). Gary The cars were, best as I can tell, remember --- Bentley, MG Magnette, Porsche, Mercedes (with the coolest step / tool box, ever!), Delahaye, another MG (coolest car there, me thinks). More later...
Continuing... Cunningham's Specials, like the BuMerc and his Hemi powered sportsters, the FAZA Fiat from Daytona, one of the Bill Stroppe / Clay Smith Lincolns and, last but not least, a pretty sexy looking Alfa I-4 and tranny, my favorite banger of all time. Gary
The Jalopy Journal
