The Car Challenge

[Siani]

Challenge 1

Anybody recognise this fairly rare car?

Is it a Lotus?
Maybe a Jaguar XK120 Drop Head Coupé?

[Dannie Boy]

Challenge 1

Anybody recognise this fairly rare car?

Is it a Lotus?
Maybe a Jaguar XK120 Drop Head Coupé?

No Siani, I'd previously mentioned it is Italian.

[hhfarang]

Additional hints on challenge number 3.

It is reputed to be the first of a famous brand that is still in existence.

The photo is missing seats and sides as it was found in this condition after over 100 years.

Additional photos...

The motor:

The dashboard:

What it looked like with a (plastic) mock up of the seats and sides:

[Siani]

Challenge 1

Anybody recognise this fairly rare car?

Can we try to establish the date DB? Is it pre 1960? I note that it has a split screen.

[Nereus]

Challenge 1

Anybody recognise this fairly rare car?

Can we try to establish the date DB? Is it pre 1960? I note that it has a split screen.

Might be a good idea if you were to read some other peoples posts.

[Siani]

Challenge 1

Anybody recognise this fairly rare car?

Can we try to establish the date DB? Is it pre 1960? I note that it has a split screen.

Might be a good idea if you were to read some other peoples posts.

Why? I am trying to get this one first

[richard]

Siani

Because a lot of the points you are asking have already been answered

[Dannie Boy]

As it's my bed time, I've decided to end the guessing game and name Challenge 1

It is a 1951 Siata Daina 1400 Gran Sport (and I admit that I had never heard of this marque before)

Based on the Fiat 1400, the Daina or Gran Sport is a carefully crafted special. It was the largest of the models offered by Siata and featured simple aluminum bodywork by Stabilimenti Farina.

At their Turin facility, Siata beefed up the Fiat 140 with extra cross members and reduced the drive shaft length. They also retained the standard Fiat suspension setup with double wishbones up front.

In this chassis was fitted with a Fiat 1400cc engine that had a unique over-head valve arrangement that was unique to Siata. Also fitted was Weber Carburetors that raised the stock power from 60 to 72 bhp. This was attached to the stock 4-speed manual or a custom Siata 5-speed box.

Later, this model was replaced by cars fitted with the Fiat 'Ottu Vu' V8 engine.


Read more at http://www.supercars.net/cars/529.html# ... OwRRMw1.99

[Siani]

Siani

Because a lot of the points you are asking have already been answered

I must pay more attention
Is it just challenge 2 & 3 left now?

[Frank Hovis]

Never heard of Siata. One more to remember for the next Italian job.

[Homer]

Later, this model was replaced by cars fitted with the Fiat 'Ottu Vu' V8 engine.

Fiat thought Ford had trademarked V8, so they named their new motor the 8V. Otto = eight, Vu = V. For all I know, that was previously covered in The Car Challenge.

[PeteC]

Challenge #3. Ok, no one else seems to have seen the article. It's the first Porsche from 1898.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25934289

[Siani]

Challenge #3. Ok, no one else seems to have seen the article. It's the first Porsche from 1898.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25934289

The first Porsche featured a rear-mounted electrical engine which could reach speeds of 21 miles per hour!!! I bet that was quite something in it's day!

[pe7e]

Challenge 2
I'm around 95% sure the bike is a James ML125 from the late 30's early 40's, the ML indicates a military model which would fit in well with it being (apparently) in India.

[pe7e]

Challenge 1

Unless I'm very much mistaken and going senile in my old age, the car is a Swallow Doretti from the 50's, They're a British built car with aluminium bodywork by swallow coachworks, (they also made rather grand baby prams) and triumph TR engine and rolling chassis parts. I used to own one of these cars back in 1967, mine was two tone black over silver, not hideous yellow.