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Re: Body snatcher

Dave Wortley
There was a similar "crime" reported in February's Automobile. It was suggested that the car, a rare Mathis saloon converted into a special by a VSCC member should be blacklisted, meaning it could not be entered in VSCC events. There is more to it than that and I don't know what the answer would be to prevent it happening. Unfortunately this vandalism is not restricted to vehicles when I consider how many old buildings in my home city have been bulldozed and replaced with an architect's jaundiced idea of concrete beauty.

Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Body snatcher

DavidK
Is this the one you mean? I could not find your link.

Shame, obviously a quite restorable Ruby and there are many bare chassis available.

David


On the other hand, for someone about to embark on the restoration of an early Ruby with the usual rotted floor, not much metal beneath the rear seat, lace curtain like wheel arches etc. if the panel repair work has been done properly, the 2000 Euro asking price for a ready to bolt on bodyshell would look like a bargain.

Location: N W Kent

Re: Body snatcher

Forthe record the advert came from Belgium!!
David

Re: Body snatcher

I can see that this may upset some folk but think of all those chassis lying around... and plenty of other parts too.

I view it as part of the cycle of things, someone wants a special and takes the body off. He sells it to someone with a restoration project.
Someone buys a special and wants to restore it to original, fine, let's hope they all meet in the eBay Arms for a pint!

However, if the bits went into the melting pot I really would be upset.

Location: Ripon

Re: Body snatcher

There are plenty of parts available to build a special, if you don't have the money or skill set to RESTORE the car back to its original spec then don't buy a heap of **** in the first place. As you can see I feel quite strongly on this one.

Location: Oakley, hants

Re: Body snatcher

Many people have neither the skill set or the money. Nothing could be further from my idea of fun than a manufacturer's spec rebuild.
Personally I prefer the oily rag approach, it's a good job we're not all the same.

Re: Body snatcher

I've not a problem with the oily rag option but that still needs a good floor pan and inner wings which were the driving force in the previous posts to build a special thus discarding the original car. When I said original spec I referred to Ruby, box , etc not some home built or even professional built special as a preference. Specials have their place, I've built one and have another in the pipeline but not st the expense of a salvageable car.

Location: Oakley, hants

Re: Body snatcher

I may be wrong, but the UK/ EU authorities seem to have fuelled this one, deregulate the cars and make it nigh on impossible to register a special built from parts and you have open slather for the destruction of the humble Ruby and like to build a special from. Sounds like there would be no need to register, MOT, or have any basic checks in order to put it on the road!

Location: NZ

Re: Body snatcher

The sad thing about all this is the people who do not have the skills to repair the saloon rarely have the skills to build a decent special. As a result you either get half finished projects or extremely disappointing and ugly cars coming onto the market.

Location: NZ

Re: Body snatcher

Have a look at this one

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C897986

Location: South West London

Re: Body snatcher

Ian Williams
The sad thing about all this is the people who do not have the skills to repair the saloon rarely have the skills to build a decent special. As a result you either get half finished projects or extremely disappointing and ugly cars coming onto the market.


Which is where the redundant body may end up....

Ido agree about ugly specials, there are some ghastly atrocities around crying out for a rebuild.

Location: Ripon

Re: Body snatcher

Such a shame to see a good car broken up to build a special, when there are plenty of chassis about with documents for sale, add to that he wants to build a single seater, if that's for road use the documentation would be needed but if he wants to use it for serious competition then he will not be using that many of the original Ruby components, it would make sense to change the front axle and all the springs / shocks and may be an offset rear axle. Much better and cheaper to buy the chassis and bits you need, It looks like a case of more money than sense, I just hope he has the skills or cash needed to make a half decent car at the end off the day.

Location: Pembrokeshire

Re: Body snatcher

Martin Williams
Have a look at this one

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C897986


Interesting looking pick up... Is the spare wheel cover shaped thus to accommodate flat tyres?

Re: Body snatcher

Austin Carr
Dave Wortley
There was a similar "crime" reported in February's Automobile. It was suggested that the car, a rare Mathis saloon converted into a special by a VSCC member should be blacklisted, meaning it could not be entered in VSCC events. There is more to it than that and I don't know what the answer would be to prevent it happening. Unfortunately this vandalism is not restricted to vehicles when I consider how many old buildings in my home city have been bulldozed and replaced with an architect's jaundiced idea of concrete beauty.

I don't know what I did wrong with my last post but it should have read that I agreed about the vandalism in Dave's home city which happens in every city and town. Also, this is why I had started the topic on "Protect Biggin Hill St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance".

Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Body snatcher

Nick Lettington
Martin Williams
Have a look at this one

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C897986


Interesting looking pick up... Is the spare wheel cover shaped thus to accommodate flat tyres?



Wow, that was quike. Couldn't have been up for sale for more than a day.

Although I know this car well, very well build little special. Some nice features.

No flat tyre, when you open the spare wheel cover, the tyre is lying flat, not vertical.

Good to see it get a new home so quickly.

Tony.

Location: Huncote on the pig

Re: Body snatcher

Aesthetically challenged even if well built Tony!

Location: NZ

Re: Body snatcher

Hi IAN,

The shape may not be everyone's idea of perfection, nor mine.

But if you only have small pockets, you won't get anywhere near the Ulster rep on car and classic for £24.5k

For the beginner though it has everything, well built and cheap.

Use it straight away, learn a lot about how to run an austin 7. And be more clued up when you go for that pricey but pretty one.

Tony.

Location: Huncote on the pig