I’m told this was built for a James Bond film in 1978, around (oddly) a VW Thing chassis… Anyone know any more?
My friend Joe Lee sends a few pictures of what he says is a “Siva Saluki” (more information here at this Siva history site), but to me (and to him) it also looks an aweful lot like the UK based Charger kit (slightly more common). I don’t know which is a copy of which. He thinks it’s inspired by the Lancia Stratos (the wild looking prototype, not the production vehcile), whereas I am starting to far less stand by my original theory that it’s inspired by the Aston Martin Bulldog (click the “Mystery Cars” link above to see that Charger). Anyone know anything more or know the source of the pictures? Please email me or post what you know as a comment!
The leftmost picture is the Lancia Stratos concept. Thanks again to Joe! Here’s what I’ve been able to find out so far:
The car originally came out in 1973 and sold for 395 pounds (just under $6000 in 2006 US dollars). It is of course VW based, only twelve were made, and only one is believed to exist (but I think that may be incorrect).
A friend of my friend Penski sent me this sighting… we’re pretty sure it’s a VW Beetle based Charger kit, but I’m filing it under “mystery cars” until someone can confirm for me. It’s one odd looking car, don’t you think? My personal theory by the way is that it’s loosely based on the old Aston Martin Bulldog prototype (the rightmost photo; designed by William Towns who also designed the Lagonda).
What do you think? Am I right or wrong with these theories?
I recently (well, not that recently, but I’m trying to get caught up) received this letter from a reader in Oshawa, Canada. If you know anything about it, please post a comment!
I recently came into possession (gift) of what appears to be a British-built coupe; I’ve sent all the pics I have at present, which were taken by the previous owner. While, from what I can see, quite an attactive design, I would have hated to suffer a rollover in this car, as it appears that all the seams are parting, and the only rollover protection, other than the roof, seems to be a tubular hoop, about 1″ in diameter, running from the frame, upwards just in front of the door hinges, crossing over underneath the dashboard, and back down to the other frame member. The spare tire is carried in the compartment underneath the taillights. I’ve kept the car because I find it quite interesting to see how many individual GRP pieces make up the car, and it indicates the amount of thought that goes into manufacturing these cars. The remains of the bonnet have a large bulge over the engine, but that is the sum total of all bodywork from the firewall forward. I have the doors, spare tire cover, plastic (perspex?) rear window, and the top surface of the hood, and will, at a later date, forward pics of those pieces, once I have it all in a workshop. If anyone can ID it, I would like to see what it looked like with a complete front end in place.
I have very little (zero) knowledge about this kit, other than the obvious — it’s old and rare!
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