I'm speechless

[RickB]

A rear mounted spare makes sense on a jeep.
In case that was too subtle - the sentence ended with a "period"!

 

[lbc_newbie]

It's not even "rear" mounted, but rather "inserted" into the middle of the boot....not a great use of space to begin with.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

The "Turnpike Cruiser" top is a little fussy for me. Unless the rear window actually comes out, of course. He could've done without the formal opera window.

Except, and especially if the top is permananently mounted, removes the blind spot......

 

[Sopwith_Camel]

ahhhh!!

and hey I want one of those Wolseley they are rare as hens teeth even in the uk.
my custom job can get back to stock with a set of bumpers and some paint.

steve

 

[BugeyeNJ58]

That's to be used in the sequel of "The Green Hornet" if the economy tanks. You gotta make cuts backs somewhere...

Way to go! That's a great idea.

 

[jesdreamer]

Its my car. I have heard that early Spridgets run 2nd to the 1932 Ford for modified versions. Design was inspired by the MG "Continental Coupe" conceived by Cecil Kimber as chief engineer before he became GM of Morris Garage. His original notchback was prototyped around 1930 along with a fastback. Neither sold well because mkt wanted roadsters. Some buyers cut off roofs of the few coupes sold. Only a few of the fastbacks (the "Airline Coupe") remain and most recent sale was around 350k for what has been referred to as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. I am unsure whether any of the notchback versions remain. From some of the comments posted, it would appear the mkt still wants roadsters and I suppose that some guys would even now cut off the roof of an Airline Coupe, a Speedwell Sprite, or even a prototype LeMans Sprite. Do none of you guys like Wacky Arnolt's MG coupe?? There are some interesting features beyond the fiberglass add-on bodywork -- Has no one noticed the lack of door handles on a 1966?? One post referred to probable good blind-spot visibility. I wanted to hinge the rear window but too complicated. Side windows are hinged to provide access to interior door handles. More comments, questions, or observations?? I did hurt my foot, do need to sell, & would appreciate any help --

 

[Morris]

Wow. Jesdreamer, I want to tip my hat to your courage and class. Your car took a lot of flak on this forum, and the fact that you posted a response empty of malice and pettiness is very impressive. You're behavior should be a model for the entire internet.

While the mods to your car are not to my personal taste, I really appreciate your skill and creativity. Good luck, and I hope your foot mends soon.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Wow. Jesdreamer, I want to tip my hat to your courage and class. Your car took a lot of flak on this forum, and the fact that you posted a response empty of malice and pettiness is very impressive. You're behavior should be a model for the entire internet.

<span style="font-size: 26pt"> AMEN!! </span>

 

[RickB]

Extremely good form Jesdreamer, if I were wearing a hat it would be off to you!
Well, since I'm not - my hat's off to you!!

I've always said these cars are ours to tinker with, make them special to us and if others don't see the vision that's ok.
Yours must have taken some time and a lot of effort and it looks like you accomplished what you wanted with it.
I realize my comment above is in error, there are plenty of good attractive cars with these features, and your car does grow on a person over time.
I hope your foot gets better, and you do well with your car.

 

[elrey]

Good for you! I too hope your foot gets better. I enjoy seeing this kind of creativity. :thumbsup: I think a fastback mod would go great with that front end treatment. There were some aftermarket fastback big Healey hardtops that looked terrific.

 

[JPSmit]

How did you make it? Are the add ons glas or metal? Do you have pics?

 

[jesdreamer]

John-Peter Smit asked how I made it -- Well I didn't want to destroy the car in order to create another Arkley. So I drilled no holes nor made any other alterateion to original car, nor any part thereof. 3 add-on modules are of fiberglass (I made a wood/plaster pattern, then fiberglass female mold, then the final part). I periodically get the 7 yr itch to do another project. In highschool it was a 37 Ford roadster, In college a Carson style hardtop for my 46 Ford convertible, In the 60's a fiberglass miniature cobra coupe style body for a Fiat 600 (Waist high & 3ft shorter than our 65 Mustang), later a pontoon boat, then an electric canoe and more recently the 66 Sprite -- help me sell it so I can get another project --

 

[aeronca65t]

.... -- help me sell it so I can get another project --

A man after my own heart! :thumbsup:

G'luck!

 

[Guest]

A classy Gent indeed!

 

[jesdreamer]

I'm not a prolific poster (see ID at left), but we might carry this thread a little further. I have re-read all the posts as well as Forums Intro & Guidelines by Basil. There seem to be a couple of strong contingencies of owners -- We all know of the Trailer Queens, generally restored by professionals at great cost to owners. Another high cost direction is the HP group, a me-too contingent focused on image of the Cad-Allard as well as work by Jim Hall & Carol Shelby. I admire Rick Neville's 2 year effort to get a Ford 5.0 into an AH 3000 (absolutely fantastic). Then we have the DIY "daily driver" contingent, a group in which most British Car Owners fall --

I march to a different drummer. Fascinated by evolution of the Marque(s), I gravitate to the prototypes which drove this evolution. Most were destroyed. A few made it into museums. I posted earlier that overall design concept of my AH was inspired by the early Continental Coupe, prototyped by Cecil Kimber at MG in 1930. The Bustle back & roof are an attempt to replicate those on the first AH LeMans prototype, which was superseded by the fastbacks which finished 123 after wind tunnel tests. (Bustle back held a 50gal gas tank, one key to the AH win). One post suggested a fastback but I considered it too difficult as I felt it would need an XKE style front end. I love the Arnolt Coupe which was a speculative prototype by Bertone when on the verge of bankruptcy & since my rear tended toward classic, I replicated the Arnolt bonnet to stay classic. Interesting that the Arnolt was in the early 50's when MG, Triumph, Singer, & others tried to follow the success of the XK120. Both MG & Triumph came back later to the more boxy body -- admitting that Bertone had it right. I think I am a member of a much smaller contingent, one which includes bugeye front ends on later Spridgets as well as the fiberglass 356 Porsche, Cobra, and other "authentic" replicas(not fiberglass "sportscar" conversions of the 50's era, but believe it or not, there even is a group of enthusiasts who focus on these) -- I feel there is room for attempts to re-capture the ambiance of some historical authenticity -- A few responses suggest some others might be closet members of this group with similar feelings.

BTW, one objective at this BCF is "fostering the British car hobby..." -- While I currently only have the Sprite, we have had a long series of others, up through an XK150FHC -- Our son still drives & shows the MGA he bought as a basket case for $100 at age 13. Now his son is driving & showing his Brooklands Green (cloth interior) MGBGT -- that's 3 generations of fostering the hobby -- can any of you guys beat that??

 

[elrey]

I for one would be interested to see some pictures of your earlier work and will make a solemn promise to be kind in any response. Thank you in advance.

 

[Gundy]

Like Granny always said "That's why they make chocolate
AND vanilla."
Amazing vision and execution.
Hope it sells soon. I see the Craigslist has expired. Hope
it's a good sign.

 

[aeronca65t]

.......I think I am a member of a much smaller contingent, one which includes bugeye front ends on later Spridgets as well as the fiberglass 356 Porsche, Cobra, and other "authentic" replicas(not fiberglass "sportscar" conversions of the 50's era, but believe it or not, there even is a group of enthusiasts who focus on these) -- I feel there is room for attempts to re-capture the ambiance of some historical authenticity --

I race with several of those fiberglass "sportscars". Two rear-engine Devins plus a front engine version. Also a Glaspar and even an Ermini (see ~This Page~ )

The Corvair Devins are evil beasts, but the guys have fun with them. Check out ~This Video (slide to about 4:30 minutes) to see me racing a silver Corvair Devin (the driver is 80 years old).

I like your comment about "re-capture the ambiance of some historical authenticity". I've been on a very slow project to build a racer styled roughly like the old Austin 7 racers (Spridget based).

It's great that your have 3 generations of Brit-car enthusiast! :thumbsup:

I agree about dropping a Bugeye nose on a newer Spridget. I've done something sort of similar---here's a quasi-Super Sprite nose I built for my race car (but I've returned it to the regular fenders.

 

[bthompson]

I keep tellin' ya Nial, there's a market out there for your front fenders. I LUV em!

 

[jesdreamer]

I have re-posted the ad as it appeared in Craigslist under Autos For Sale at Charlotte NC so all you guys can see it all over again -- This is what started the discussion --


https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2590806804.html