Scruffy specials - where have they all gone?

[Paul Nott]

Was thinking of selling my Special, just a few jobs to finish off if any ones interested?
       

[Austin in the Shed]

There was a thread a week or two ago enquiring about a lost special with an A30 radiator grille and full width body,I can't find what it was under but I thought the car was called the Dexion special owned by Neville Barr or am I wrong? It was pictured often at PWA7C visits back in the 60's.

[Colin Morgan]

Does this thread help with the Dexion question?

https://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk/for...p?tid=2204

[dickie65]

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1192495

Talking of stupidly restored and over priced.

I would say that it should only worth the same as a scruffy Ruby.

Someone has wasted a lot of money or been right royally ripped of with the restoration costs. Or Both.
I doubt if Hamblin made any more than one car for sales.
The rest were just GRP bodies sold to special builders.

[Mike Wood]

Thank Tony for the thoughtful and informative reply.

Do you have any pictures please of the 750 special you mention that you are planning to sell - sounds interesting, and probably not on your website if you are thinking of the auction route. The historic 750 formula (750 Trophy) race folk would be interested too: https://historic750formula.proboards.com/

Alan - glad to hear the red No37 Ulster rep in my pics is still going strong albeit with a replacement trailer. I bet the tow car Maestro is away too!

Nice videos of Douglas Anderson hillclimbing his home constructed Hamlin special in Scotland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwR9vlSxhCU
& https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgNPnWH5yc (one video is of a test evening)

I agree that we do not want to wipe out or forget the special building culture in all forms, not just swb Ulster reps and Ulsteroids, but Hamblins, Cambridge specials, Super Accessories, DIY body designs and modifications etc etc

Best wishes
Mike

[Alan]

Mike, don’t know them all, but- 31 is Reg Nice, 26 I think Charlie Marriott, 1 is Andrew Spence and 5 is John Skeavington. The red car behind mine will be Jean Rees (Dave’s wife)
The Marstro was a 2litre MG one, replaced by the turbo version which was fun but lethal.

[Steve kay]

Compared to the sort of prices usually asked at Bicester, I reckon the Hamblin is close to a give away.

Is the website only accessible to 750MC members? I am unable to sign on.

Despite Mike's doubts about modern technology, it does allow one to have the computer operating far from the desk in the study or library. I can't reach round to the shelf for info on where the other prototype was displayed in London. I hope that more learned forum members will either tell us the name of the dealer, or put me right. 

Whilst the days of splicing a Morgan front end onto a GN chassis are long gone, perhaps the Seven still allows an entry to sport, and particularly trialling. Acquiring a V5 and assortment of chassis and running gear parts gives a much more affordable start than building a Troll or a Marlin, or finding a useable Beetle. Is the JAP engined Seven seen on the Exeter a new arrival or a famous old machine?

[Steve Jones]

Mike, don’t know them all, but-  31 is Reg Nice,  26 I think Charlie Marriott, 1 is Andrew Spence and 5 is John Skeavington. The red car behind mine will be Jean Rees (Dave’s wife)
The Marstro was a 2litre MG one, replaced by the turbo version which was fun but lethal.

Reg's car is still about as is Skev's. Of course, Simplicity is still around and competeing as well.

Steve

[Rogerfrench]

Thank you Steve, saves me pointing it out. Simplicity's body is certainly one of the home-built early primitives, though I must say that Graham has her looking as good as she ever has!

[Steve Jones]

.......though I  must say that Graham has her looking as good as she ever has!

Well worded, Roger

Such an historic car that went to exactly the right owner when Graham took it over.

Steve