12/20/2023 0 Comments Kur 3cThe Waddup Special was essentially a Buckler fitted with a Ford 1172 engine. A combination of Dexion and what must be the snooker-table slate provide an effective measuring bridge. Analysis of the proportions confirms that the seating position and steering column are in distinctly different positions. 18 being the Buckler-based Waddup Special. This lovely colour shot was Kodak date stamped October 1956, No. This chassis, pictured here before getting its' unique body. The Waddup Special was based upon a Buckler chassis. Probably just my imagination, I think the engine might get in the way. The wheels look rather like VW fitting, and the front suspension appears to be similar to VW king pin/link pin setup used up to the late 1960s. Sadly, Esso finally changed their plans so they lost their backing, which led to the car’s steady decay as the farm’s favourite chicken-coop. Graham said he took it to an open day at Brands and matched the 750 (Int.) lap record-if so, certainly the only time it ever saw racing tarmac. Window glass was glued flush with the body surface. Apparently Graham chose to sit fairly upright so a ‘blister’ was formed below his seat. It stood 100cm high at the kerb, with 10cm ground clearance. Under construction the car was set up on raised ex-snooker table slate for accuracy. Trained at Ford’s own college at Boreham, Essex, He designed the space frame, and the geometry of the purely mechanical front suspension, which was then built by expert toolmaker Leslie Davies. The ‘midget’ in the roll-out shot was the owner/driver-farmer Graham Waddup. Though their (open) first car (1172) was raced successfully as ‘Waddup Special’. My best guess is that there was some form of commercial non-disclosure agreement made at the time, so whilst those involved are still alive, the secrecy will remain. Unfortunately, the documents I have seen do not state the make/model or other vehicle details.Īs to the reasons behind all the secrecy, I can only speculate that at some point, for some reason, the person(s) involved agreed never to tell the story. I do know, however, that the subsequent number, KUR 4C, was registered to Lotus Cars. I have not been given any of their names. Listening tonight to the interview on the website (link in my previous post) with Mr Brooking, he states quite openly that he designed a racing car (at 35:18), so I can only assume that the secrecy relates to one of the other 'industry experts' I am told were involved in the design/engineering/manufacture. The "KUR 3C" number was issued some years after the car's completion, prior to which it had run on trade plates. It used a Climax engine, but had an entirely bespoke chassis and aluminium body. I’m a bit bemused as to why there would need to be secrecy on a car designed almost 70 years ago, but ok let’s respect that.Ĭan you say what it was actually based on? After all your work it would be nice to know if any of the guesses were right!I am told the car isn't a Lotus, nor is it based upon anything else.
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