VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

This model is based on a kit car built in limited numbers (12 examples), by Neville Trickett's company SIVA CARS, in Aylesbury, Bucks.
The Siva S160 Spyder is a fibre-Glass composite body built on a VW beetle floorpan, with Hillman Imp engine. It was a cancelled project for Marcos cars but rather than scrap the whole idea, Neville took the decision to add it to his kit car range. It debuted at the 1971 Racing Car Show and Matchbox released their version in 1972.

Although designed as a kit car, it was also available complete for £895.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Very nice, Kevin, thank you!
Do you know the actual price level too?
Behind the Siva is a Ferrari?

Peter

A bare body shell was £525 and you supplied the running gear like the engine, gearbox, axles, wheels and the minor electrical components.

So only the Two price points.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Very interesting Ghosty, the model would have looked good with the headlights raised.

(btw there's a horsebox behind the Ferrari)

So in the One picture, we can see Three vehicles, all modelled by Lesney at one time or another. Any chance the location is near the Factory, anyone recognize the location?

GHOSTHUNTER.

Here's some info from the registration plate
http://regarchive.com/plate/VLJ302J
Interesting that Lesney would model a car after a real vehicle that had so few actual examples built, but perhaps it was because it went along with the styling look they were seeking at the time for their models and saved them the trouble of designing up something on their own.

zBret

You could apply the same question for the #40 Guildsman which only existed as a model, no such real car existed!

GHOSTHUNTER.

...Lamborghini Marzal, BMC Pininfarina, Mazda RX500, Datsun 126X...

Even the RW #40b Leyland Royal Tiger was a one-off in real life I think.

Cheers,
Gavin

..and the M1a BP Autotanker...

zBret wrote: Interesting that Lesney would model a car after a real vehicle that had so few actual examples built, but perhaps it was because it went along with the styling look they were seeking at the time for their models and saved them the trouble of designing up something on their own.

zBret

At the time it was common practice to produce models of prototypes and very low production cars, although usually only sports cars and racing cars. Hot Wheels started this trend, and the others followed.

The Corgi Juniors range had some such models too, e.g. the Marcos XP, Probe 16 and Ford GT70. Schuco made the Mercedes-Benz C111 and BMW Turbo, Norev made the Bertone Trapeze and from Majorette we got the Bertone Panther and Camargue. Of the big European companies only Siku resisted this trend.