Description
There are specials and there are specials.
This little gem is a stunning craftsman-rebuilt example, first registered on Christmas Eve 1931.
It began life as a Monaco and we have the buff logbook showing it still registered as a black Monaco saloon in 1946. During the 1950s it was converted into a ‘woody' - presumably at a point when the original ash frame had deteriorated beyond repair. During the 1980s, the then derelict car was rescued. Subsequently, it was dismantled and professionally rebuilt as a two-seat trials special. The shortened chassis was fitted with a new ash frame, with aluminium panels, and originally with cycle wings. We have the VSCC eligibility certificate, and it seems it was used just once in the VSCC Lakeland Trial - the owner deciding it was too good an example to be further trialled.
In later years, the cycle wings were replaced with wings of a more flowing design, and a bespoke rear section was made, reminiscent of the famous ‘March Special.' Starting in 2011, the 1087cc engine was upgraded with a Merlin crankshaft and Sprite specification camshafts. There is a wealth of detail on the restoration and upgrade of the car including some photographs of the older ‘woody' conversion. A restoration of this quality would be well into £six-figures today and everything is so well done, particularly the weather equipment - hood cover, hood, tonneau, and side screens. The 60-spoke rebuilt wheels are shod with a recent set of period style Blockley tyres. Since 2021 the last owner has further improved the car with a new fuel pump, battery, ‘Powerspark' electronic ignition and a clutch conversion featuring a ‘modern' Ford diaphragm unit rebuilt by Calder Clutches.
The detail of the car is beautiful, and it has remarkably precise steering for a car of this era.
It is an unusually high-quality restoration which an engineer would really appreciate.
