'A' Model Ford Special, 10th Rob Roy Hill Climb (1946); photo by George Thomas 1928-2013; State Library of Victoria
I wonder how that axle is located. I don't see anything which resembles the remains of a wishbone, and I can't figure out that device in the middle. Overall, I like the look of the thing; especially as it appears to have tourer coachwork rather than a pointed tail. It's very much the kind of thing I was looking for here: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/axle-ahead-of-radiator.1291890/
I wondered about that, but I think the wishbones are hidden behind the nearest wheel and the axle on the far side. If you enlarge the image you will see what looks like the bottom of the wishbone showing below the axle, but it's hard to spot.
I wonder if the axle is split Allard-style in the middle, hence that "box" out front... spring is awfully "flat" for an A
This is what the Itala Special looked like before it was crashed. 'Ernie Seeliger driving an Itala special, AMSC Standing Quarter Mile' - State Library of Victoria
'Ernie Seeliger in his Itala V8 on the starting line, 11th Rob Roy Hill Climb' State Library of Victoria; photo by George Thomas 1928-2013
'Ernie Seeliger, Ballarat airstrip races' 1947; State Library of Victoria; he must have had Ampol sponsorship. Note the embroidered 'ITALA V8' on his overalls. (The Ballarat airstrip was used in WW2 for aircraft maintenance etc; Ballarat is about 70 miles west of Melbourne.)
Built this for my 19 year old son to race at Pendine this year. It’s a shortened T frame, A engine, box and axles and then anything else we had lying around the garage. The body is made from the roof of an old caravan we inherited.
'Refuelling Alfa Romeo, side-valve V8, Ballarat airstrip races' - 1947 photo by George Thomas (1928-2013) State Library of Victoria
The Ernie Seeliger Itala V8 Special, minus bodywork, at the 12th Rob Roy Hill Climb, April 20, 1947 - photo by George Thomas (1928-2013) State Library of Victoria (the number plate is different in this photo)
Austin 7? ... '12th Rob Roy Hill Climb', April 20, 1947 - photo by George Thomas; State Library of Victoria [Edit: when I magnified the original library image, the embroidery on his overalls, visible under his left elbow, appears to say 'Austin 750'.]
Definitely Austin, the steering wheel, the bowed 'sports' front axle with underslung radius arms and the carb suggest that the car started out as a 'Nippy' sports model
Model A wheels (on smaller rims)? Model T front axle?? 11th Rob Roy Hill Climb, 24 November 1946, George Thomas photo, State Library of Victoria [edit: Reg Mathews driving a Mathews Special]
Morris Cowley-based? (shape of radiator surround, 10 spoke wheels); driver looks apprehensive; 11th Rob Roy Hill Climb, 24 Nov. 1946; George Thomas photo; State Library of Victoria
First and second photos: 'Cadillac', 14th Rob Roy Hill Climb, 1947 [photo by George Thomas] Third photo: 'Tim Joshua driving a Cadillac Special at the Rob Roy Hill Climb' 1950 [photo by F.H. Fince] [edit: photos from State Library of Victoria]
Frank Kleinig's Hudson Special (MG chassis and Hudson straight 8); the car still exists; (at one stage it had a Miller engine); first photo by F.H. Hince, 1939 Rob Roy Hill Climb, when Kleinig achieved a new record of 29.72 seconds in the event. Second photo by George Thomas, 14th Rob Roy Hill Climb, 1947. [Both photos from the State Library of Victoria] There is an excellent article about Kleinig and his Special at https://primotipo.com/2019/12/06/frank-kleinig-kleinig-hudson-special/
We know the answer to that question, but here it is anyway. (George Thomas photo; State Library of Victoria)
The Jalopy Journal
