eBay Find: A Wooden 1950's Sports CarBy Brian Lohnes Posted 03/10/10
We were stopped dead in our tracks when we laid eyes on their weirdly amazing car. It is a completely wooden sports car, powered by an odd-ball motorcycle engine, and sitting on a Citroen suspension system. The car was built by a west coast boat constructor and was modeled after sports cars and race cars of the day. Talk about one of one!
The car is powered by a weirdo 1952 Ariel "square four" engine. We have no idea what it sounds like or how much power it makes. The transmission is an Ariel piece as well and works as a 4-speed sequential unit. According to the seller the car is in road worthy shape and can be driven.
The pure talent and craftsmanship that was required to build this car is tough to fathom. There's been wooden cars before, but this one, in our opinion anyway, takes the cake for awesome.
Source -- eBay -- 1952 Ariel Custom Wood Car
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Written by DanStokes Mar 10 2010
Interesting piece. I'm no expert but I know a little about the Ariel Square Four. They had difficulty with the rear cylinders overheating in the motorcycle chassis and I wonder if that's why it wasn't used more. Ariel supposedly finally sorted it out in 1957 but the damage was done and 1958 was the last model year.
Why the builder picked Citroen running gear I'll never know. I can only think it's what he had lying around. Maybe not terrible stuff, but WEIRD! I'm guessing the donor was a 2CV - the French Beetle equivalent with a cult following in France. The 2CV looks like a Beetle made by a sheet metal worker. The seats look like they may be from a 2CV as well.
Dan
Written by prlafayette Mar 10 2010
This thing has been on ebay for months. I have not noticed if the price has changed but obviously he wants to much or there is no interest at all.
Written by BangShift Forum Admin Mar 10 2010
http://www.bangshift.com/blog/eBay-Find-A-Wooden-1950-s-Sports-Car.html
Written by kevracer Mar 10 2010
Whew! That's a ton of money for a really ugly car.