Hamblin Cadet body

[Robert Foreman]

Like your car Nick, reminds me of the Caterham 21 which you rarely see these days.

[Nick Lettington]

Thank you Ruairidh and Robert. I admit I knew nothing of the Caterham 21 until my old mate google gave me a steer. 

I'm told the inspiration for the streamlined shape came from the knobbly Listers. The FW special was the first this shape and after a second 750mc car was completed, Jem Marsh bought the moulds and sold the bodies under the Speedex banner. 

I'm still looking for an original bonnet badge from the 50s to replicate if anyone wants to help! I just need a nice clear picture of the artwork (but not one of the vinyl stickers though they are probably correct!)

Actually I'd quite like a complete roadworthy Silverstone...

[Roger Goldthorpe]

That brings back memories Robert!

£137!

I'm sure they were cheaper than that originally.

Told you so! Rocketing in value.

£37-10s (£37.50) in 1959 or shell only for £34-10s (£34.50 
Roger

[Nick Salmon]

Mention of Lister leads me to commend to you all a book I was recently lent and thoroughly enjoyed reading. An extraordinary and really fascinating tale by Robert Edwards.


  archie.JPG (Size: 26.1 KB / Downloads: 474)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARCHIE-LISTERS-...1852604697

[Roger Goldthorpe]

A few years ago one of our local antique shops had a Silverstone shell for sale. Sorry shell and shop now gone!
Roger

[dickie65]

That brings back memories Robert!

£137!

Hi Chris,
I seem to remember visiting your family at Kingsbridge in the 1970's and seeing your Hamblin Cadet.
I think my father was buying bits from your father.
I was collecting bits for an Ashley Special around that time.

Cheers Richard

[Hedd Jones]

I think its ace too. Do you sit on it like I did in my Microplas? Rather than in it?

[Nick Lettington]

If you are referring to the Speedex Hedd, not currently. It has no floor at the moment, so you would probably sit through it! Some of the earlier 750s have a very high seating position. I'm hoping not. I'm not especially tall so that helps!

[Chris KC]

That brings back memories Robert!

£137!

Hi Chris,
I seem to remember visiting your family at Kingsbridge in the 1970's and seeing your Hamblin Cadet.
I think my father was buying bits from your father.
I was collecting bits for an Ashley Special around that time.

Cheers Richard

Sounds highly likely! What's your surname Richard?

We moved to Kingsbridge in '78, it can't have been long after that. We got the Hamblin from a local auction, in a bit of a sorry state but it wasn't much money either.

---

I think its ace too.  Do you sit on it like I did in my Microplas? Rather than in it?

Our Hamblin had a heavy plywood floor, it was very much for sitting on top of. I imagine it could have been lowered a bit with some thought and it would have been worth the effort.

[Stuart Giles]

I think its ace too.  Do you sit on it like I did in my Microplas? Rather than in it?

Sitting in it rather than on it  requires a fair bit of work to come about with the 50's & 60's special bodies. Did a fair bit of chassis re-work on this car some years ago.



You can see how low the main chassis members are in this photo; the swing axles sit well above the side members. The rear axle likewise.