A rare, six-wheeled car built from wood is expected to sell for thousands when it comes up for auction next month.
The unusual motor was handmade by a school teacher in the 1980s, based on a build-you-own kit created by legendary British car designer Bill Towns.
Towns, who designed the iconic Aston Martin Lagonda, sold the car’s building instructions from his Gloucestershire, England home, dubbing it “The Hustler.”
Fewer than 100 of the kit cars were built, but it is not known how many have survived.
The woodwork and metalwork teacher from Bristol, John Brazier, worked in a comprehensive school, and spent three summer vacations constructing his Hustler.
The eight-seater became the family vehicle, and toured the country for the next 13 years.Brazier highlighted that it has passed all its MOT checks.
It is expected to attract worldwide attention when it goes under the hammer next month, and is estimated to sell for £2,000 to £3,000 ($2,550 to $3,826).
Aston Martin created plans for a fiberglass Hustler before releasing plans for a wooden edition in 1981.
It features six wheels, a tape deck, large sliding glass windows in lieu of doors , and the interior is borrowed from an Austin Allegro.
Brazier made the gear knob, handbrake handle, and steering wheel with wood by hand.
A 1.3l Austin Allegro engine powers the car.
Though it has remained in dry storage since the early 2000s he said it will only need a quick service to get back on the roads
“It is quite possibly the most amazing car I have ever seen,” said Andrew Stowe an auctioneer at Auctioneum,
“It has all the wackiness of a kit car, but the sensibilities of a daily driver. It’s like something from Thunderbirds.
“‘Everything is made to an incredible standard.
“Even the steering wheel and gear knob we hand made from wood. It was a real labour of love, and the skill involved in completing the project is immeasurable,” said Stowe.
“Our client is keen to point out that it turned heads wherever he drove, and it was fondly nick-named the ‘Pope-mobile’ by local children.
“It may look quite different to a conventional car – but the ideas behind it are so relevant to today’s ideas.
“A wooden car could almost be something dreamt up by Elon Musk – a sustainable way to build cars, an eco-friendly alternative to the mass-production car plants of today,” said Stowe.
“It was remarkably way ahead of its time. Who knows, in thirty years we may all be driving wooden cars!”
The Hustler features in Auctioneum’s sale on September 1, titled “Fine Art, Antiques & Classic Cars” and hosted in Bath.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager
