Mystery car competition

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Bringing this topic back to the subject of mystery cars. Anyone know this one?

[richard]

No idea ! Is it as barmy as it looks ? What's the " roof" for . It's very high and moveable weird . The lines are just a bit Biscuterish but the hat British so could it be a Franco/ British consortium that later lead to the Concord 

[Bob Purton]

I think this took part in the D day landings. Surely an Englishman in collar & tie AND bobble hat would instil great fear into the enemy!

[marcus]

Very odd. At least the gunwhales are fairly high so it looks less likely to be swamped than an Amphicar. The "roof" structure seems only to make sense as a weather shelter as I don't think that flexible solar panels existed when that photo was taken. The masts and awning are completely wrong for use a sail too.

Interestingly I have already done the artwork for my next solo CD, which is of a Heinkel Trojan sailing down a river and fitted with a mast and sail !

[Rob Dobie]

At last.....A photo of Bob's creation. 

[Barry]

other boat cars:-----

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pyeg012lhb7ssvi/AACtmqy8SoqVfGFtAI6OMgLYa?dl=0

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Absolutely correct about the "sail", it's to shelter the occupants from the sun.

[richard]

Are the gunwhales deep or the water near to rather shallow ? Hard to tell Malcolm obviously knows more but it's very much looking like a one off

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Abaft of the beam, the gunwhales are quite deep. The water ahead of the bow may be foul.

[marcus]

Wide athwartships, protection from sun and with the helm on the larboard side suggests to me she be from foreign climes; no cannon, anchors or belaying pins about her, so I thinks she means us no harm.

[Bob Purton]

Oh I'm not so sure, that bobble hat looks pretty threatening to me!

[marcus]

Perhaps Johnny Foreigner is trying to blend in with us natives!

[richard]

Where does the bobble hat come from I. Think it was always British , possibly even English, I do know it was much favoured by Bonders in the 60's . Possibly if you had an open top car back then and the flat cap had a different image you still needed a hat ?

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

I believe the bobble is traditionally Swiss, and was once seen as an invaluable aide in the case of avalanche where the light-weight gaily-coloured bauble could be identified as a contender for imminent rescue once it was spotted by highly-trained St Bernards atop an otherwise white backdrop. I believe Doug Ferreira chose this form of apparel when he took part in his Monte-carlo rally exploits knowing of the treacherous conditions he might face and of course this was soon adopted by many Bondoliers throughout the nation  as a fitting tribute to his exploits.

[richard]

Well I never !! True or bluff though