History Can anyone identify the car up on the lift?

I figure our sharp-eyed readers can help solve this!!

I got an email about the attached photo in Customs Illustrated content on my website 99wspeedshop.com. A reader wants to identify the car up on the hoist. I don't have the specific magazines from the year of the photo (1965), and was wondering if any of you can identify the car.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Looks European to me. Has a sort of Saab shape.

 

I agree with that it is probably European. .. Lancia or Maserati were my first thoughts. ..

 

Definitely European.
The roofline looks kinda Alfa Romeo-ish.

 

I'm more interested in whatever is going on with the (possibly) '30-'31 Model A in the foreground.

 

My first thought is Borgward.

 

Look at all the breathers on the Model A valve cover and the deep oil pan.

 

I'd vote Alfa-ish too.

 

Not a Borgward, never had the wrap around style windshield.
KK

 

Henway

 

Volvo P 1800.

 

Whatever it is appears to be rear engined, as the rear end is sagging like a Corvair or Beetle.

EDIT: some research on my end suggests a PC Series Hino Contessa Sprint 900. Japanese car with an 893 cc engine

 

Looks like a Rootes Group (British) product, likely a Humber.

 

i think volvo is correct sir!

 

It's a 1959 Flototian Scorambix.............

 

I too thought Volvo,I'll bet volvobrynk will know. HRP

 

Simca


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Definitely got that Alfa/Volvo look about it, the front part of the fender shape looks similar to XJ6 Jaguar although I don't think it is a Jaguar model.
European is probably correct and the best give away I can see is the way the back wheels are hanging, so we know it is most likely rear wheel drive on swing type IRS.
The wrap around sloped back window is unusual in my book.
It is not a Rootes Group car but could be a one of many coach built cars that existed in Europe in the 1960's and looks close to a Skoda/Simca/Opel/Lancia models, but I am not saying it is yet.
Two other obvious features are the squared rear fender well and the modern looking closing edge of the door, both features not common to that era.
It does not appear to be BMW or Auto Union/Audi.

My guess is coach built or make/model unknown to most of us.
If I had to say, my best guess now would be Alfa Romeo mid 1950's thru to early 1960's.

 

Matra

 

To me it doesn't look like a p1800.The car on the lift has a wrap around windshield and the volvo p1800 doesn't.

 

Found the photo I was looking for of the Hino

 

OK, I'm over the Model A,but I would like to know more about the 4 banger.

The car on the lift has me puzzled. It's not a Volvo, it has a swing axle, I've never seen one on a Volvo. My first guess was a Lancia. Rounded body and that skinny door handle screams Italian. Couldn't find a picture of a Lancia with the wrap a round windsheild or the the beltline moulding. The front bumper with the tube guard looks like a Karmen Ghia. Ghia did lots of custom bodies for other manufacturers, but google search doesn't always show you what you think is out there. Keep thinking.... maybe overnight some of our european brothers can figure it out.

 

my first thought was Ghia too, like Dual Ghia
but I can't find anything like it searching

 

Hmmmm.
I can't find any late '50s- early '60s European marques with *both* wrap-around windshield & backglass.

 

That's an Alfa Romeo. Looks a lot like the 72GTV I had but this one is earlier. They were race ready off the showroom floors. I have that rear window if anyone needs one.

 

Great suggestions, everyone. I too am leaning towards Italian. Some of the 50s Alfas and Maseratis have similar shaped windows. But it is still elusive. The wrap around windows and bumper "over rides" make it a bit unique. Keep the the suggestions coming. I love the detective work!!

Glad someone picked up on the Model A (and no one "bit" on the Henway suggestion). I looked at Customs Illustrated covers for clues on the Model A but no luck. The "deep oil pan" might be two large chunks of wood?

 

i am not sure that is a model A?

 

I had a big deep aluminum Gemsa oil pan like the one on the Model A. The valve cover looks Gemsa too.

 

I do have one of those lifts in my garage though..

 

Here's a better shot of both. You be the judge. I don't think it's an Alfa GTV however it looks very Arbarth ish?

.... Customs Illustrated - Magazine Covers - 1958 to 1967 was published by Arnold Abramson and his Universal Publishing company from July, 1958 through January, 1967. The editor Bern Williams, did double duty with Rods Illustrated (a sister magazine launched the prior month).

The contents were devoted strictly to custom cars, and there were many illustrations and "how to" tips. The magazine outlasted Petersen Publishing's Custom Cars primarily because customs were more popular on the East coast....​

http://99wspeedshop.com.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/custillus.html