Are you a current Michigan-based car shopper? A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/2 for details.
The convertible is based off a Rover P4 and was I think, a Marauder. This was a spin off project by a couple of the Rover engineers who set up shop independently, producing rather pretty convertibles under the trading name of Mackie, Wilks and Co. That idea of using a pretty tame manufacturer's saloon as the base for a low production special, occurred often in Britain. However huge tax increases on luxury cars during the Korean War killed the idea.
The convertible is based off a Rover P4 and was I think, a Marauder. This was a spin off project by a couple of the Rover engineers who set up shop independently, producing rather pretty convertibles under the trading name of Mackie, Wilks and Co. That idea of using a pretty tame manufacturer's saloon as the base for a low production special, occurred often in Britain. However huge tax increases on luxury cars during the Korean War killed the idea.
Cheers
GRaham
G'day Graham
You've done it again - it is indeed the Marauder - they made about 15 - and I think more than half still survive - for a rare 65 year old car they certainly turn up at car shows etc. as I must have seen quite a few over the years
A recently deceased friend was a devoted Rover fan, with a seemingly endless supply of old Rovers. The P4 was an interesting beast with suicide rear doors and a freewheel mechanism which allowed the engine to return to idle on over-run; one of those ideas that probably seemed fine at the time. The P4 was a good candidate for body builders and apart from the Marauder, I think Tickford and Pininfasrina did specials.
The next generation, the P5 and then the P6 were stand outs, especially when fitted with the GM derived 3.5l V8 engine (P5B referring to the engine's Buick origins). At the end of production in the early 1970s the British government is supposed to have bought up a batch and stored them for use as ministerial cars. One of the defining images at the start of Margaret Thatcher's term in office was her arriving in an apparently elderly Rover P5, signalling her frugality. It is one of those images where art (the photograph) perfectly captures a cultural change.
Definitely a late 50s Husky. I bet they never came in that colour... and why can't I see any rust?
My sister's boyfriend had one in the early 70s. I seem to recall that the rear door opened to one side, which seemed really strange to me at the time.
Cheers
Graham
Yes - thats the second series Husky. The first one had a grille like the mid fifties MkVII Minx and a more rounded look but this one had the later shape Minx grille - this would be equivalent to the series II Minx. They face lifted it again later for the series III.
There was an equivalent van - the Commer Cob - and you could get a kit to convert a van into the equivalent Husky which had the advantage that it avoided purchase tax - vans were sold nett of tax which was about 25% on the car then so a couple of hours fitting windows at 1950's wages would have been worth it.
This is a Commer Cob that was converted - slightly different grille from the true Husky.
I think you may be right Fin on the English Ford. Wonder what year it is? Funny, the roof line and greenhouse look like they have a bit of early 50's Rambler influence in them.
Maybe a Mk1 Ford Consul? I think a lot of these old "estates" were by a firm called Farnham.
Yes Fin it is a Mk 1 Ford Consul with an estate conversion by Farnham - it is quite rare but they offered this on the Zephyr as well and there were some Zodiacs too. It was a conversion but was factory approved and you could buy them through Ford dealers. Early 50's - they changed to the Mk II in late 1956 and Farnham did a version of that (and the MkIII Zephyr etc as well as the Corsair). Ford finally got the message and for the Cortina they built an estate themselves - as for the Anglia - but I think Farnham carried on right through to the MkIV Zephyrs...
1967 Plymouth GTX, or likely, a standard car badged as a GTX, as it isn't treated very well. From "Tommy Boy", which will always be a classic of the era.
Ah, the "wedge". We'll probably never see wedge cars again---very 80s. The TR8 can be a nice little car once you sort them out. At least it's an engine that has a good chance of survival, unlike the dreadful 4 cylinder version. You know that when the FACTORY advises you to double the head gaskets, that you have a problem.
That's an early 60s Turner Mk.II, a rarity from one of the many small manufacturers that proliferated in the UK at that time. It was probably better than most of the garbage being turned out by Leyland and BMC, Turner Sports had a good rep in production racing circles IIRC
Possibly Lancia Ardea, from the shape of the louvres in the bonnet side but I don't know about the script across the grille. If so, it had the smallest V4 ever made of about 900cc. They were made through the second world war and for about ten years after.
I can't tell what that badge says. This doesn't compare to the beauty of the early Triumph's like the TR-3 or TR-4 or TR-250 but it still kind of rocks in it's own way, though.
I am hesitant to weigh into this, because I have never much liked Triumph's and thought the TR7, which we only ever saw as a hardtop, an ugly ******. The convertible, which seemed to make it to the USA, looks a lot prettier.
25 years ago, I shared an office with an engineer who loved (and from his recent emails, still does) Triumphs. I might forgive his habit of leaving well matured sausage sandwiches with chutney in his desk drawer (the smell would eventually draw my attention) and his large Rottweiler, who had an endearing habit of chasing torch beams across the floor, but his taste in British automobiles, was a mystery. He was a fount of knowledge for all things Triumph although his thick Midlands accent made me ponder whether sub-titles would assist.
Each TR7 was seemingly individually crafted; it is possible, from the shape of the bonnet bulge (this is a double bulge), the Laurel Wreath transfer on the bonnet and the 2.0 LITRE badge on the flank to figure out the production era and what factory the car came from (Speke, Canley or Solihull). The bumpers are another hint and the pop up headlights also say something for the expert. I do recall that originals had tartan interiors; this is an era that good taste forgot, if it ever visited!
I hate to be the one steve but....yeah. You have to remember, that most British car makers after WW II used whatever they could grab off the shelves. You'll see a lot of even mid-year changes that don't look at all purposeful, but rather convenient.
Possibly Lancia Ardea, from the shape of the louvres in the bonnet side but I don't know about the script across the grille. If so, it had the smallest V4 ever made of about 900cc. They were made through the second world war and for about ten years after.
Pretty, isn't it?
Cheers
Graham
Yup, that sure is a (1948) Lancia Ardea. It's a crying shame that Fiat has so debased the once great name of Lancia.
I found only one another photo of an Ardea with a "signed" grille.>
Comments
The second one is a Graber-bodied Alvis T21 - that Bern plate makes sense.
Do you know this car?
The second is a Graber bodied Alvis TE21
The convertible is based off a Rover P4 and was I think, a Marauder. This was a spin off project by a couple of the Rover engineers who set up shop independently, producing rather pretty convertibles under the trading name of Mackie, Wilks and Co. That idea of using a pretty tame manufacturer's saloon as the base for a low production special, occurred often in Britain. However huge tax increases on luxury cars during the Korean War killed the idea.
Cheers
GRaham
You've done it again - it is indeed the Marauder - they made about 15 - and I think more than half still survive - for a rare 65 year old car they certainly turn up at car shows etc. as I must have seen quite a few over the years
Cheers.
A recently deceased friend was a devoted Rover fan, with a seemingly endless supply of old Rovers. The P4 was an interesting beast with suicide rear doors and a freewheel mechanism which allowed the engine to return to idle on over-run; one of those ideas that probably seemed fine at the time. The P4 was a good candidate for body builders and apart from the Marauder, I think Tickford and Pininfasrina did specials.
The next generation, the P5 and then the P6 were stand outs, especially when fitted with the GM derived 3.5l V8 engine (P5B referring to the engine's Buick origins). At the end of production in the early 1970s the British government is supposed to have bought up a batch and stored them for use as ministerial cars. One of the defining images at the start of Margaret Thatcher's term in office was her arriving in an apparently elderly Rover P5, signalling her frugality. It is one of those images where art (the photograph) perfectly captures a cultural change.
Cheers
Graham
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Definitely a late 50s Husky. I bet they never came in that colour... and why can't I see any rust?
My sister's boyfriend had one in the early 70s. I seem to recall that the rear door opened to one side, which seemed really strange to me at the time.
Cheers
Graham
There was an equivalent van - the Commer Cob - and you could get a kit to convert a van into the equivalent Husky which had the advantage that it avoided purchase tax - vans were sold nett of tax which was about 25% on the car then so a couple of hours fitting windows at 1950's wages would have been worth it.
This is a Commer Cob that was converted - slightly different grille from the true Husky.
I think it might be a Ford Consul from the mid to late 1950s, but have never seen a station wagon. Is it coach-built or factory?
Cheers
Graham
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Possibly Lancia Ardea, from the shape of the louvres in the bonnet side but I don't know about the script across the grille. If so, it had the smallest V4 ever made of about 900cc. They were made through the second world war and for about ten years after.
Pretty, isn't it?
Cheers
Graham
Sure this isn't a 1979-80 Triumph TR-7?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I can't tell what that badge says. This doesn't compare to the beauty of the early Triumph's like the TR-3 or TR-4 or TR-250 but it still kind of rocks in it's own way, though.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I am hesitant to weigh into this, because I have never much liked Triumph's and thought the TR7, which we only ever saw as a hardtop, an ugly ******. The convertible, which seemed to make it to the USA, looks a lot prettier.
25 years ago, I shared an office with an engineer who loved (and from his recent emails, still does) Triumphs. I might forgive his habit of leaving well matured sausage sandwiches with chutney in his desk drawer (the smell would eventually draw my attention) and his large Rottweiler, who had an endearing habit of chasing torch beams across the floor, but his taste in British automobiles, was a mystery. He was a fount of knowledge for all things Triumph although his thick Midlands accent made me ponder whether sub-titles would assist.
Each TR7 was seemingly individually crafted; it is possible, from the shape of the bonnet bulge (this is a double bulge), the Laurel Wreath transfer on the bonnet and the 2.0 LITRE badge on the flank to figure out the production era and what factory the car came from (Speke, Canley or Solihull). The bumpers are another hint and the pop up headlights also say something for the expert. I do recall that originals had tartan interiors; this is an era that good taste forgot, if it ever visited!
Cheers
Graham
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I found only one another photo of an Ardea with a "signed" grille.>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The rest of it is - 1965 Alfa Romeo CZ2.