50 years ago
1954 onwards
January/February 1954
Well after all the trouble during autumn 1953 caused by a wrong-designed
axle (read page 1), production slowly began in
January 1954.
Chassis 537 was the first car in 1954. It later became known as "Bumble"when
in the hands of
Judy Andreason competing in the Classic Saloon car series of races during the '70s.
Originally painted black, then
painted in the "Cream Cracker" colours of brown and cream.
Beside starting with new chassis the factory had to finish the 28 chassis that
were started in '53 but not finished and even the eight finished cars came back
into the factory to change the back axle!
Some of the earliest export models with their despatch dates and destinations
are:
| 07.01.54 |
517 |
Canada
(Toronto Motor Show?) |
| 07.01.54 |
523 |
" |
| 07.01.54 |
524 |
Brussels
Motor Show /Belgium |
| 07.01.54 |
525 |
" |
| 25.01.54 |
526 |
Amsterdam
Motor Show/Netherlands |
|
530 |
" |
|
531 |
" |
| 15.01.54 |
519 |
New
York/USA |
| 15.01.54 |
522 |
" |
| 10.02.54 |
528 |
Copenhagen
Motor Show /Denmark |
| 22.02.54 |
544 |
Geneva
Motor Show |
|
546 |
" |
|
551 |
" |
|
552 |
" |
Except of the four last cars for Geneva, all cars were left hand
drive. I don't know why the Geneva cars were rhd, as they also drive on the
right side.
Cars no. 528 and 531 and 537 can be seen on the gallery.
528 is undergoing a restoration now, after beeing rescued from a scrapyard many
years ago and 531 was scrapped in 1980.
537 is shown is race trim. The original doors without quarterlight had been
removed and stored save. It is believed that this car is now in Japan.
Proper production starts mid-February at chassis no. 584.
Sydney Motor Show, August
1954
|
