Pit Box

So far this sideport engine has eluded all attempts to identify it. From the complexity and quality of the castings it looks as if it should be commercial, but what? The chassis looks a lot of work if cut from plate but has an almost cast look. The owner is in Australia, which may give a clue to its origins. Getting the support bearing to line up with the engine mounts looks an interesting job. Any thoughts on the motor or chassis would be much appreciated.

Thanks to Gary Maslin for passing on this item. Sept 2010

The Alton Special was designed by Phil Smith around 1947 and kitted by Veron, one of Guy Rickard's companies. The Rickard's lived at Beech, just outside Alton, hence the name. The car was all wood and intended for the 6cc Stentor using components from 'Replica Ltd', of Sloane Street London, another of Rickard's companies. The kit alone was £3-3-0 and it was claimed that the car had been tested at over 60mph. Original versions of this car are very rare.

                                             Aug 2010

We reported the sale of this Korn Indianapolis in November 2008 when it made $21,100, something over £15,000 at today's rate of exchange. It had no real provenance other than a suggestion that it might have been owned by Barney Korn's wife Annemarie. We have recently obtained this picture to show exactly what the purchaser got for their money. One wonders if 2A or 'Topsy' with their impeccable histories would command this sort of value if they ever came on to the market. Makes the Gascoigne MG seem a giveaway by comparison!

                                                                                                 July 2010