The auction listing implies that the seller has some documentation and 8mm footage. I sent an inquiry to see it I can get my hands on it and share it with the rest of you.
Lots of work to do on this one! At least the fellow states that he has a door and glass for replacement. H-m-m-m-m. If Keir has #092 would #034 fit in my shop??? New York is a long way from South Dakota, but then again, Florida was a long way, too!! Good luck to those who are bidding.
Forgive me, stupid question from a new kid on the Peerless block - but I assumed GT2/ on the chassis plate meant it was a Phase 2 car. If not, was there any indication on the chassis plate that a car was a Phase 2?
Interesting - I have 061 and it is a Phase 2 and first registered in October 1958. Perhaps, just perhaps they didn't manage the chassis numbers sequentially, they just grabbed one out of a large box (another well known manufacturer in their early days is guilty of doing this as well, and much worse). It is possible the original engine numbers might give a better clue as to age, as I am sure they woudn't have stockpiled those. I have TS25O38E fitted as original in this car. Or I have a Phase 2 car which someone has 'combined' with a Phase 1 (I had a MkII mini Cooper like that, mechanics off an Austin Cooper, body off a Morris Cooper)... H-m-m-m indeed!
OK guys, as far as I am aware the chassis numbers ran sequentially from 001. They all have GT2/00000 . don't ask me why its a 2, I don't know....(now there's going to be an obvious reason for this and I have grasped it in 30 years and
I'm going to look a right **** when someone comes on .....duuuur!)
So, #34 is an early ish car and definitely made in 58 (by all I can see in the photos)and so is yours Kent (ditto photos). Clive, #061 is a phase 1 number but I seem to remember your car has a phase 2 nose and bonnet.
Not an uncommon modification when the factory was still going and Phase 1 cars had had a bump.
I would really have to have a look at your car before I could say for certain what it is (and it has had a lot of other mods over the years). Do you have the log book etc?
numbers do get a little mixed after the factory closed and the components were sold off several times over a few years with different manufactures/individuals assembling them for sale or personnel use.
Hi Nigel
Sorry, no log book - but an entry from county records giving the reg, date of registration and chassis number, which all tie. It would be nice to know if there were tell tale differences between a phase 1 chassis, axle, box etc and a phase 2, but thinking about it as the production run was so short - I suspect there isn't. I could tell if the rest of the body was Phase 1 or 2 though - umm as a novice - what do I look for?
I guess I have 3 scenarios - the bonnet and front were modified to look Phase 2, the original body sustained some damage and a complete Phase 2 body was fitted or I have a Phase 2 with a phase one chassis plate put on it (though if you have a Phase 2, there wouldn't be much point...). A bit of a deviation from the topic - sorry.
OK guys, as far as I am aware the chassis numbers ran sequentially from 001. They all have GT2/00000 . don't ask me why its a 2, I don't know....(now there's going to be an obvious reason for this and I have grasped it in 30 years and
I'm going to look a right **** when someone comes on .....duuuur!)
I always assumed that the GT2 denoted the engine size...
no, the prototype wasn't GT1. i guess 2 ltr is as good as anything.
And Clive, its best that I talk to you whilst you are with the car or I'll swing by one day and have a look....don't think it will hold you up with the resto in the meantime
yup, that would be great. You are right, i am in acquire parts mode, actual dismantling is some way off!
if you ever plan to be nearby please do let me know so I can arrange to be in, we have a spare room if you would like a bed for the night - you would be most welcome.
Maybe there were too many pieces of the puzzle were missing. The one picture showed the A post on the damaged side was totally gone. The selling price made me feel better being almost double what I paid although a little more complete.
#034 ended up selling for $7200 in an odd set of circumstances. After a 7 day auction ending at $7850 with 11 bidders and 35 bids the car is relisted in a 5 day auction. There are no bids for 3 days, then its gone. The seller most have added a buy it now. I wonder if there was a deal behind the scenes. I find it odd that none of the first 11 bidders never bid and the buyer never bid in the first auction.
I don't know if that was the case but you think one of the 10 bidders would throw in a bid at $3,000. If it would have gone the 5 days with no bids I was thinking of bidding. I have seen that Triumph Tune Valve cover go up to $750
on Ebay. You are 25% there.
i suspect an original bidder did buy the car. You can reserve the right to pull an eBay listing. Perhaps the original winner was slow with the transaction and the re-listing was a way to hurry things up?
dave
I must confess - I have ended up with the car and am bringing it back to the UK. The original bidder fell through and I offered a buy-it now which the seller re-posted it at (time is an issue for him) and I got it. Why it is of particular interest for me is I plan to retire to a ruin in Italy I have been doing up in a few years and take my Peerless with me to restore (roads are wonderful round there), so how could I resist a left hooker....
I might have been not entirely in charge of my senses though, I was on a 1000 mile rally when my Healey went over a cattle grid, the grid collapsed ripping the steering and suspension system and tearing the chassis - I bit the steering wheel and smashed the windscreen. That night I bought the Peerless. I will blame the accident when my better half finds out...
Cheers
Clive
It is possible to bring a car back from this condition, but you'll have a lot of work with this one. There is lots of help available via these pages and more spares available than you'd expect.
All the best, and if you're collecting the car from Felixstowe, do pop in for a chat.
that is very kind. I have brought back worse Vintage cars, but they tend to be made off sturdier stuff - so the Peerlesses will be a challenge for me. The shipper is bringing the container to Sheffield so at least it will be a bit nearer for me, Felixstowe would have been a very long was from Aberdeen! If anyone is interested, total shipping cost plus collection and duties is approx £1500.
Clive. I've got to say I thnk converting one of your cars to left hand drive would have been an easier task than fixing up this one. You're a brave man.
I'm not sure if I mentioned to you that I'm awaiting a new body from Ian & Celia. When it arrives, you could pop down for a look if you wish. Alternativly, you might be interested in my old body if originality is important to you. It would still need a lot of work but nowhere near as much as the american car. At least mine is in one piece (mostly)!
Brave is a generous assessment.... Brilliant Mike - yes I would definitely be interested in your old body (not something I hear very often).
Cheers
Clive
Clive,
'GREAT!!! I, too, am staring retirement in the face - as in 9 days and counting. However, I am going to be restoring 3 1955 Thunderbirds, one for myself and one for each of 2 sons. Keir, who lives about 10 hours from me has the Peerless and is thinking that during my next visit we will be pulling the engine to see what has been done by previous owners. Sometime in the near future my wife and I will be moving to his location and the Peerless will move up in the list of things to do...
Good to know that someone who cares has ended up with that car...