• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

What was it?

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Ok, so I apologize for not getting a picture, but I'm hoping a description may help.

I was driving my Sprite through the backroads of western Howard County (Maryland) and came across another sports car that appeared to be of 60s vintage. Here's what I can tell you:

It superficially resembled an E-Type Jaguar in that it was a fastback coupe. In fact, my first thought was that it was an E-type, but it seemed larger and far less slick looking than the E-type. The front end was not as round

The car had no identifying marks that I could pick out. I got a good look at the rear. The taillights looked like E-type taillights, but the turn signals were almost parallel with the bottom of the rear window, too high up the rear fascia to be from an E-Type - which is right on the bumper. It had the exhaust tips below the rear license plates coming out of a pair of dual trumpets. The entire rear was flatter and less curvy than an E-type and you didn't have the fender flares.

Worst case is that I may just have to spend more time traversing the back roads in that area to find the car again. Rats. (obvious sarcasm is intentional)
 

HealeyRick

Yoda
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Jensen Interceptor?

4667891150_320de6e4a8_o.jpg
 
OP
S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Jensen is closer, but this cars fastback sloped right to the end.

I keep thinking it may have been an E-type that was modified. Maybe it was later a 2+2 that someone tried to "backdate" to an earlier model. The turn signals were identical in shape, but not in placement, to the E-type. The thing is I know E-types well and there's no way I'd mistake one for anything else.

If it was a Toyota 2000, I would have followed the guy just so I could get a much closer look at it. Maybe I should have stuck with him instead of turning off?
 

Flash_Harry

Jedi Hopeful
Country flag
Offline
An older Marcos, maybe?
 

Tiger

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Near Pfeffercorn Road? (not that it's germane...)

No idea... Kellison?
Kellison_J6_Factory_Panther_Race_Car_Tribute_For_Sale_Rear_resize.jpg
 
OP
S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Early 60s Marcos is a closer resemblance. The Kellison would be closer if the taillights were above the cars beltline.

I spotted the car making when I was making a left from Daisy Road to Jennings Chapel Road. I then happily gave chase until I turned onto Howard Chapel Road to take me back towards Montgomery County. Those are nice roads...it gives me an excuse to take the Sprite out for some exercise in that area.
 
OP
S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
I think I finally identified the mystery car: Bristol 407 or 408 Zagato. Now, if the weather would only break long enough for me to do some "surveillance" on the back roads to see if I can find it again.
 
OP
S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Finally got a positive ID on the mystery car: a Vetta Ventura

Vetta66Ventura10.jpg
 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Offline

JPSmit

Moderator
Staff member
Silver
Country flag
Online
wow - one I have never heard of - looks lovely!
 
OP
S

SaxMan

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
I saw the eBay one on Bring-A-Trailer, and it hit me "Holy cow, that's the car!" Well, not that exact car, but you get my point.

Now I want to go find that car again!
 

PAUL161

Great Pumpkin
Silver
Country flag
Online
Hand made in Dallas, only 19 made and changes between each model. Not that far from me though, but there is a ton of sheet metal replacement and fabrication work to do. Even part of the chassis has to be refabricated. Drive train, who knows! Probably have 60,000 in it before your done. To me it's way over priced, maybe 10,000 or less would be more realistic? It is in a pretty deplorable condition, haven't seen a vehicle in that poor condition for a very long time. Looks like it was setting close to a stock yard, everything rots like being dipped in acid.
Actually, one in beautiful condition sold for under 30,000. :nightmare: PJ
View attachment 42276
 
Country flag
Offline
Apollo GT. Dad had one, my brother has it now. Its number 18. There's one on ebay right for $19,800 and its a total rust bucket. Company went under in late 60s, some Texas millionaire bought the company and remaining cars. Renamed cars Vetta Ventura, changed from Buick 215 v8 to Chevy 350 v8.
Marv
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
AngliaGT "I WAS SEVENTH!" Racing 0
mezy Look what I was in yesterday Other Cars 14
S TR2/3/3A My tr3 was stuck in reverse after a short drive Triumph 3
S TR2/3/3A my OD stopped working after it was working Triumph 25
dougie Use your car as it was meant to be used Austin Healey 15
drooartz General MG Surprisingly enough, I was right! MG 7
JPSmit well that was fun Spridgets 1
P TR6 What make and size tire was on the TR6 when it left the factory? Triumph 7
S TR2/3/3A TR3 has me stumped, it runs then dies over and over and the exhaust system was pulled Triumph 9
Gliderman8 General MG The car that never was MG 6
Got_All_4 TR6 This frame was sectioned Triumph 9
S TR2/3/3A and the radiator was leaking. Triumph 7
Jim_Gruber Boy was I ever surprised on Saturday Spridgets 11
K TR2/3/3A It was all going so well....... Triumph 11
tinman58 General TR Well that was close! Triumph 12
T Was Sophia Loren ever photographed with a Healey? Austin Healey 2
Trevor Jessie When was the last time you bled your brakes? Spridgets 4
Jim_Gruber Hubs a Rocking on side where Speedi Sleeve was installed Spridgets 5
HealeyRick DMH was a Nasty Boy Austin Healey 2
catfood So thats what it was... Other British Cars 0
Zitch TR4/4A Door Weather Strip Channel - Was this added? Triumph 4
tinman58 General TR It was just a loose wire Triumph 15
Jim_Gruber I woke up Bugsy this afternoon after about a month long nap and he was cranky Spridgets 7
T Was the Bugeye a Mk I from the get-go? Spridgets 9
PC Dang, that was too good to be true... Restoration & Tools 3
Jim_Gruber Bugsy was out for his first real romp today! And it was fun!!!! Spridgets 3
JPSmit Tesla - but that's not what was interesting Other Cars 2
H At least the Bugeye Shirt was at the HPDE this weekend. Spridgets 5
drooartz MGB Today was a good day - the MGB is legal! MG 6
longbridgehealey When did you buy your first LBC, and what was it? Spridgets 46
J Cloth interior in AH-3000? Was it ever fitted? Pleated inserts maybe? Austin Healey 7
Sopwith_Camel was this wire brown in 1967? Jaguar 5
GTP1960 TR2/3/3A It was running great....until Triumph 17
CZ_Dave MGB Was I missed? MG 2
bighealeysource Was 100M from Chasing Classic Cars sold this weekend? Austin Healey 20
S TR2/3/3A 37XXX and 27XXX the steering column was split Triumph 6
C The 1956 Jaguar XKSS was one of a kind Jaguar 10
H Aston Martin DB4 converible found in UK awhile back--what was paid for it? Other British Cars 0
C Was the 2013 Jaguar XJ Ultimate the Crown Jewel of Luxury? Jaguar 0
C Just how good was the Jaguar E-Type? Jaguar 10
JPSmit What was on the trailers was most interesting today Spotted 2
DanLewis And I thought the Bugeye was small... Spridgets 6
jaegzie Disc brake upgrade was fine now major alignment issue. Spridgets 6
S What Was it Like? Spridgets 10
krswen Remember when carb cleaner was so strong .... Restoration & Tools 12
HealeyRick Wedge It Was All the TR7's Fault Triumph 7
DNK Was this real to start? Lotus 7
RickB I was wrong. Again. Not ignition switch! Spridgets 16
RickB Thought I saw a 210 - but it was just a B Spridgets 6
5 TR2/3/3A Who was OEM glass manufacturer for tr3 windshields Triumph 1

Similar threads

Top