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This has popped on a local sale site. It looks interesting but I can only find very sketchy details.
"Brand new Kit car & first owner, brought into the Philippines in 1952 and remains untouched, made by Carrocerie builders Watford Cheetah, at Watford Motors England, bought and brought in by the late Don Meneleo Carlos. While this kit car is now being duplicated by car enthusiasts, in Europe, this is one of the four originals in existence worldwide, which is used as a mold to replicate it. Uses Ford specs, engine, suspensions, gauges, lights, wheels, etc. On a light tubular frame chassis, for best power to weight ratio using only a 1.2 liter engine, performing as V6 racing machine. Economically Powerful, once built. Never been touched since bought, so brand new."
Anyone know any more about them? |
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Last Edit: Aug 3, 2015 2:57:11 GMT by georgeb
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,148
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Thanks, that was about as far as I'd got. There doesn't seem to be much about them. I'm wondering whether to have a pop at it, although it would probably have to be on some sort of Japanese mechanicals - Ford sidevalves aren't exactly lying around here! Quite like the idea of a pokey and revvy engine, twin Webers, lower, wide minilites (sorry), or similar and aero screens. I've read about the chassis issues, but that shouldn't be a big problem to sort whilst it's still in bits. Could make a bit of a mountain weapon. Thinking, thinking.  |
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,148
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Lots of these 1950's kit cars were just copies of a more successful kit, lasted for about 6 months and made 4 or 5 kits before they went bust.
The purchasers were expected to be able to do lots of the smaller fabrication themselves and not much in the way of back up from the makers, the Austin Healey Sprite killed them all.
I think that the biggest hurdle to (re?) building it, is the condition of the body, a new chassis can always be welded, moulds to repair the body......?
I think it will be a fairly unique car in your neck of the woods though!
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Go for it, cant wait for the build thread
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that sounds like a title of an episode of Minder.  |
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I'm almost certain i saw one of these in Camberley today....AND I'm from Watford as well, further than that I cant help you :-D
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,883
Club RR Member Number: 71
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1952.......
1952.............
Jesus you'd think a little progress would have been made in 63 years
I know you said the nation was a bit laid back but that's close to horizontal and no longer breathing levels of laid back!!!!
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Lots of these 1950's kit cars were just copies of a more successful kit, lasted for about 6 months and made 4 or 5 kits before they went bust. The purchasers were expected to be able to do lots of the smaller fabrication themselves and not much in the way of back up from the makers, the Austin Healey Sprite killed them all. I think that the biggest hurdle to (re?) building it, is the condition of the body, a new chassis can always be welded, moulds to repair the body......? I think it will be a fairly unique car in your neck of the woods though! If they were in production until 1961, there must have been a few knocked out, but they seem to have all but disappeared into the mists of time. As you say, the body will be the stalling point. And yes, there's not too many knocking around the mean streets of Manila. Go for it, cant wait for the build thread Coupla hurdles to overcome first. One is buying anything as a White Guy at sensible money, two is having somewhere to build it and three, will I be allowed to register it when it's finished? Need to look into that last one first! that sounds like a title of an episode of Minder. I'm almost certain i saw one of these in Camberley today....AND I'm from Watford as well, further than that I cant help you :-D Ooh, you couldn't just pop round to Watford Sports Cars Ltd., Woodmans Yard, High Street, Watford, Herts. (Opposite Benskins Brewery) could you and ask...? Oh, hang on. 1952....... 1952............. Jesus you'd think a little progress would have been made in 63 years I know you said the nation was a bit laid back but that's close to horizontal and no longer breathing levels of laid back!!!! Not strictly fair, in another of the advert pics, you'll note a disembodied hand painting the chassis, so serious progress  The job's probably been passed down father to son over the years. "Next decade, do the left chassis rail, son" |
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Last Edit: Aug 3, 2015 23:11:43 GMT by georgeb
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sonus
Europe
Posts: 1,386
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Last Edit: Aug 4, 2015 8:28:45 GMT by sonus
Current
1968 TVR VIXEN S1 V8 Prototype
2004 TVR T350C
2017 BMW 340i
Previous
BMW 325d E91LCI - sold
Alfa Romeo GTV - sold
Citroen AX GT - at the breakers
Ford Puma 1.7 - sold
Volvo V50 2.0d - sold
MGB GT - wrecked by fire
MG ZT 1.8T - sold
VW E-golf Electric - sold
Mini Countryman 1.6D -sold
Land Rover Discovery TD5 - sold
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gib
Part of things
Posts: 163
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I think the internets general views on specials are negative and not that accurate, one offs lasted 10 minutes etc. It was a bit more than that. Rob Daniels is, was (I think he is having a break from the scene) one of the most trusted sources for info although he doesn’t run the 1950sspecial page anymore and Malcolm McKay has a serious amount of info. Most were not copied but developed due to need or available parts or because of splits in partnerships (which happened to mine which was available under 3 different names). One manufacturer would offer a ford based version whilst another would offer the same body on a different base. The similarities of body shape and form can be viewed in the same way lots of moderns look alike As for numbers I have 1 of 32 TWM’s made which was a low volume run and my brother has 2 out of ?? AKSs but I know of at least 3 others. So the majority were making more than double figures at least of each model. I don't know the production figures for Cheetahs but did have a chat about them 6 or 7 years ago at the specials day as a Red / Black ford based one was there, in fact I am sure there are 3 or 4 known in the UK. The chassis with that car looks an original with ford hook up points for the IFS, rear would probably match. The bodies are easy to work on as the thickness of the GRP is pretty heavy and the shapes are simple to copy and mould yourself if you have had some experience of GRP. I had to rebuild the whole front quarter. Price wise they are oddities that don’t follow any market or trend ( thank god). Tuning parts are available but costly. I would try to keep it original or just buy and ship back to the UK as a lot of people would be interested, in fact it is the Historic Specials day at Burford ( Cotswold wildlife park) this weekend which is the premier mtg. for special owners I might mention this find if that is ok with the OP  ?? Pictures to make up for lots of words.    |
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From 'British Specialist Cars' by Chris Rees :   Kitcar journos Chris Rees and Peter Filby are the aficionados I'd be looking to for info. |
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Looks like an opportunity not to miss.
Who cares about paperwork and running gear, anyway?
Decent looking body.
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 Click picture for more |
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I say you need to buy it pronto, or get your better half buy it for less  Trouble is that I'd really want to see it and then they get that "White Guy Gleam of Greed" in their eyes! I would try to keep it original or just buy and ship back to the UK as a lot of people would be interested, in fact it is the Historic Specials day at Burford ( Cotswold wildlife park) this weekend which is the premier mtg. for special owners. I might mention this find if that is ok with the OP ?? If I were to buy it for here, it would almost certainly end up with Japanese running gear (which will probably entail a load of fabrication I have no facilities for, so would have to farm out) as there is absolutely zero chance of finding anything resembling original available. The second could be an option, dependent on regulations, if anyone in the UK was interested enough. By all means have a chat about it. They are asking around GBP2,500 for it which seems a little heavy for me, given the strictly limited market here. But since when has reality ever got in the way of a Filipino making up numbers? Kitcar journos Chris Rees and Peter Filby are the aficionados I'd be looking to for info. Any contact details by any chance? Looks like an opportunity not to miss. Who cares about paperwork and running gear, anyway? Decent looking body. Hmm, yes and no, given the issues above When they finally get this change of plates debacle sorted, they'll go back to being hot on registration. It's a nice little earner, see? Whatever happens, thanks for the replies and info guys. |
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Last Edit: Aug 4, 2015 21:49:44 GMT by georgeb
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Have you bought it yet?
What about now?!
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Have you bought it yet? What about now?!
Hang on, hang on. Hold yer bleedin' horses.
I'll have you know I'm a young working mother holding down a full time job with two demanding Filipinas to raise.
It's not easy you know. Why, already this morning I've had to write the list for the maid in the dust on the mirror, leave a note for Cook (again) that the girls shouldn't be allowed at the cooking sherry as it gives them wind, have a long luxuriating soak in the bath, do me hair, get the nanny to plan the youngest' s Investigatory Science Project (Level 7) and now have to go to a high-level meeting with several certain Saint Michaels up th'Adriatico.
Cars will just have to wait until I've sobered up I'm afraid. You have to be able prioritise you know, or the staff'd get nothing done! 
On top of that, it's Madam's birthday this weekend and, when you live with an Imelda Marcos spend-alike, I need to save up again 
Anyway, for those that may be interested whilst I dither, here's the link to the full ad.
olx.ph/item/neauthentic-original-british-watford-cheetah-kit-car-ID6O0wz.html?p=3#9851f6cb30
If someone is serious, I'm more than happy to act over here on their behalf (as long as they don't curse word me around) and could probably help sort shipping - if it's do-able. One of my clients is a container port after all!
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sonus
Europe
Posts: 1,386
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Present for the Madam it is then |
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Current
1968 TVR VIXEN S1 V8 Prototype
2004 TVR T350C
2017 BMW 340i
Previous
BMW 325d E91LCI - sold
Alfa Romeo GTV - sold
Citroen AX GT - at the breakers
Ford Puma 1.7 - sold
Volvo V50 2.0d - sold
MGB GT - wrecked by fire
MG ZT 1.8T - sold
VW E-golf Electric - sold
Mini Countryman 1.6D -sold
Land Rover Discovery TD5 - sold
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Yeah, it kinda looks like 1 shoe, so you might be able to convince her it's a size 30. Only useful if you have big feet yourself, mind.
The advert is a bit Arthur Daly, but it is a bit of a find for a serious '50s-special enthusiast, if you can find one of those.
You have a PM re: Chris Rees, George.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,883
Club RR Member Number: 71
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I have no idea what ₱ 180,000 is in real money but the currency converter supplied by the internets says about £2500
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Present for the Madam it is then "But it old, and hab no roof, and where the big mirror?" Aye a true classic car fan is the missus!  Yeah, it kinda looks like 1 shoe, so you might be able to convince her it's a size 30. Only useful if you have big feet yourself, mind. The advert is a bit Arthur Daly, but it is a bit of a find for a serious '50s-special enthusiast, if you can find one of those. You have a PM re: Chris Rees, George. In fact the ad is about the most comprehensive I've ever read here. Most are a single fuzzy picture whih hardly anything apart from the compulsory "100% Flood Free" Replied, thanks. I have no idea what ₱ 180,000 is in real money but the currency converter supplied by the internets says about £2500 Yup, two and a half grand it is. As I say above, it looks a bit heavy to me but I really have no idea as to true value. Whatever someone coughs for it I suppose. |
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Last Edit: Aug 6, 2015 2:12:18 GMT by georgeb
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??
