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garryb said:
Wonder who has found that then? As said above, almost certainly a Kellison (modified roof) of sorts (USA). 
Californian Jim Kellison. a former fighter pilot for the United States Air Force formed the company in 1950s.
He began experimenting with plastic (fibreglass) sportscar bodies in 1954. Like so many back then, especially in the UK.
Although it looks similar to a Kellison J5, there are some significant differences, the side on this car rolls in a lot more inwards, the rear overhang is a lot shorter and the rear screen has a lot more of a taper. The wheels look 13" to me, so I think the car is smaller than a Kellison. I think it would be a lot of effort to modify the already radical-looking Kellison in this way especially the roof system. In my opinion a one-off with no doubt a very interesting story behind it, shame we can't gather more info from the registration number. Would be interesting to know how old the photos are and if the car is still together and where it is.
piper said:
Although it looks similar to a Kellison J5, there are some significant differences, the side on this car rolls in a lot more inwards, the rear overhang is a lot shorter and the rear screen has a lot more of a taper. The wheels look 13" to me, so I think the car is smaller than a Kellison. I think it would be a lot of effort to modify the already radical-looking Kellison in this way especially the roof system. In my opinion a one-off with no doubt a very interesting story behind it, shame we can't gather more info from the registration number. Would be interesting to know how old the photos are and if the car is still together and where it is.
I agree in part, but there were literally hundreds, if not several thousands of Kellisons from the early bodies (just like here in the UK, shove a body on a chassis and modify to your hearts content!). The rear doesn't I agree look like the run o' the mill Kellison, but what is a run o' the mill Kellison.
Example!!!!!
The odd thing is it being UK registered. But plenty of stuff got imported or brought over, no different to our (UK) kit cars getting exported to the US.
A 'C' suffix so what's that, 1965. The business by then was also carried over by Allied Fibreglass who offered new bodies, Kellison was still going. I used to know a lot more but forgotten it all -it's a bloody minefield specialist cars. There were K and J types, the company got sold, bodies were offered by a different set up. Some cars were called Astra and others Panther (how's that to confuse a Brit!). Another later one (I think!) was the Stallion.
Another effect of the Kellison was a Cobra clone, many Kellisons (of sorts) were entered in motor sport (memory is fickle) but they were allowed into racing by the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America).
Jim Kellison died in 2004 I think he ended up in the jewellery business.
If it is not a Kellison (of some kind) wtf is it?
Ok, changing tack, let's say it's a Brit. I've changed my mind as I can see s/wheel so def rhd. Who'd import a Kellison and convert to rhd, nobody in right mind.
What 'could' it be or more to the point what is it trying to resemble?
A low-drag E-type?
Agree now looking at it again, wires could be 13in, usual period size tyres. Wonder how long that's been standing?
Add to that, it has common (then) round Lucas (60s' glass) indicators/chrome bezel, and Lucas stop/tail (Frogeye type).
Typical period door mirror plastic chrome of the era.
What wheel spinners had a 'gap' in the ears? They don't look like normal solid ears.
Orig door line looks filled. Is that roof modded to raise a la Nova?
I've changed my mind - it's a Brit.
Orig post now edited to above! LOL
What 'could' it be or more to the point what is it trying to resemble?
A low-drag E-type?
Agree now looking at it again, wires could be 13in, usual period size tyres. Wonder how long that's been standing?
Add to that, it has common (then) round Lucas (60s' glass) indicators/chrome bezel, and Lucas stop/tail (Frogeye type).
Typical period door mirror plastic chrome of the era.
What wheel spinners had a 'gap' in the ears? They don't look like normal solid ears.
Orig door line looks filled. Is that roof modded to raise a la Nova?
I've changed my mind - it's a Brit.
Orig post now edited to above! LOL
Edited by dandarez on Friday 1st May 16:32
trusty Raleigh Press 1950's Guide 'Where' that car from?' bible!
It's got a fuel filler on top of the right rear wing so probably not rear engined, and the hubs are the 'curly' type as used on myriad British cars from Jaguar to MG and others. Can't help wondering how much the driver would be able to see with windows that small! Interesting though.
Thoughts from a friend who knows (much!) more about such stuff than I do :
Quite a mystery, but rebodies and specials usually take some unravelling.
Possibly a rebodied DB2, it had a rear door like the E Type coupe and the window was a similar shape, it also had the same Lucas light units though these could be found on many vehicles from Morris Minors to D type Jags. The 1965 reg. is probably misleading and may have come on first Uk registration of an import or as was the case, treating the special as a new car rather than reusing the original issue. UR was Hertfordshire at the time and Lotus were then at Cheshunt and many of their press cars had UR plates. However their chassis were much more lightweight, this is a 1950’s performance spec. with large wire wheels and perforated drum brakes and large quick release petrol filler cap. By the sixties disc brakes were the norm and had been available on many sports models by the mid fifties with magnesium lightweight wheels too. Possibly some link to Frank Costin, of Marcos fame but he was based in Kettering I think. Aston weren’t too far away at Newport Pagnell but I don’t think they would have been dabbling with plastic bodied specials despite their continual search for capital over the years.
Quite a mystery, but rebodies and specials usually take some unravelling.
Possibly a rebodied DB2, it had a rear door like the E Type coupe and the window was a similar shape, it also had the same Lucas light units though these could be found on many vehicles from Morris Minors to D type Jags. The 1965 reg. is probably misleading and may have come on first Uk registration of an import or as was the case, treating the special as a new car rather than reusing the original issue. UR was Hertfordshire at the time and Lotus were then at Cheshunt and many of their press cars had UR plates. However their chassis were much more lightweight, this is a 1950’s performance spec. with large wire wheels and perforated drum brakes and large quick release petrol filler cap. By the sixties disc brakes were the norm and had been available on many sports models by the mid fifties with magnesium lightweight wheels too. Possibly some link to Frank Costin, of Marcos fame but he was based in Kettering I think. Aston weren’t too far away at Newport Pagnell but I don’t think they would have been dabbling with plastic bodied specials despite their continual search for capital over the years.
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