One of a kind Traveller?

[Windy Pig]

So, I just sold my moggie (sad face) to a nice bloke who lives near me, he's a welder, has a couple of minors himself, seems to be a fanatic (i imagine he is a member, not sure if he's online), and the car has gone as his daughters first car (which i think is ace).

Anyway, we were having a chat before i handed over the keys and he tells me that he has a one of a kind traveller, one of 9 prototype travellers made with a plastic/fibreglass (i forget now which he said) frame instead of wood. Apparently, the idea was not taken up, or it was too late and production was already winding down, and all but the one that had been given as a gift to one of the wives of somebody important as a gift was scrapped when production didn't go ahead.
I was wondering if anyone knew any more about this? I have had a quick google about, but not found any more info. No real reason for asking, but as he picked the car up from my work I wasn't in a position to have a long chat about it all, and it piqued my curiosity.

Thanks for any information

[Gilesv]

Hi, the Travellers with GRP instead of wood are mentioned in Ray Newell's book on the Traveller (which came out last November). There are several comparison photos taken in 1970 alongside a normal production car which is alive and well and still looks as good today as it did when the photos were taken. See page 53.

[Windy Pig]

cool, i'll see if i can find a copy to have a look at. Thanks very much.

[davidpidge]

I would be very interested in seeing one of these travellers in the flesh. I didn't know there was any about! There's a couple of photos been posted on this forum quite recently.

[Windy Pig]

yeah, he doesn't live far from me at all, so i'm going to keep an eye out for it for sure.

[bmcecosse]

Go visit him - and take a few pics. Ask him if you can do a wee 'feature' on his car for us !

[Gilesv]

Go visit him - and take a few pics. Ask him if you can do a wee 'feature' on his car for us !

That's an excellent idea, not to mention a good story for Minor Matters. If you're not keen on writing it, I'm sure there's someone who would be. The location of the car doesn't have to be revealed if that happened to be of concern to the owner.

[Windy Pig]

I've dropped him a text, see if he comes back to me. I'd be happy to write up something, but it might be suited to a more experienced writer. If he is willing to meet and talk about it, I'll get some good notes, and some decent photos. Where would be the best place to submit it?

[Gilesv]

It's probably best to discuss it in the first instance with Nicola Parkins, the Editor of Minor Matters: (minormatters@mmoc.org.uk)
I expect she'd be able to provide some advice on length of article and the sort of pictures that are suitable. It's a particularly interesting story because of the Traveller anniversary this year. It may be worth contacting Ray Newell about it, especially as he is the author of the book where they are discussed. You've already built on his story by the fact that the owner has suggested that this was the only one that escaped the factory! His contact details are also in Minor Matters.

[Windy Pig]

ok, I'll get some more info from the guy first. If he hasn't got back to me tonight, I'll give him a ring tomorrow.

[Windy Pig]

Little update, the guy has agreed to send me some photos and all the info he has on the car. I'll put whatever i get up here.

[davidpidge]

Excellent! Strange. My girlfriend itsn't at all interested in this. Funny girl.

[DaisyMayFozz]

According to Ray's book, there is conformation that at least one of the travelers were sold, and less than ten could have been released .One of these was photographed for sale in 1987- SFC 427J in a dark blue. However according to the DVLA it hasn't been on the road since 2004:
The vehicle details for SFC 427J are:
Date of Liability 01 03 2004
Date of First Registration 01 04 1971
Year of Manufacture 1971
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1098cc
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour BLUE
Vehicle Type Approval Not Available
The pictures in the book show the GRP back very similar to the ash frame, a tad lighter in colour.

[LouiseM]

Here's a pic of a GRP back:[frame][/frame]