Monday 10 December 2012

And the nominees are...

It's time to introduce you to the nominees for the 'Best Find of 2012'. There were 9 cars suitable for a nomination - I picked out 5 of which I believed they are the best. Now it's up to you to decide which one wins the title. There's a poll on the right side of this blog and you just have to tick the box of your favourite find. The one with the most votes wins - it's simple as that. Now over to the candidates.

1. The lost Maya GT. This was a matter of time, with several reports of its sighting made clear and appearing on these pages. In March this year it was finally found, still in Ashford, as the earlier findings suggested. It is  being restored at the moment. Click here for its story

2. The Radford Traveller. Radford's coachbuilt Minis were sold to the rich and famous back in the 1960s, and every once in a while one finds its way to a dealer or an auction house. This very rare Radford Traveller spent most of its life in France. Click here for the story

3. The farm yard Mini Marcos Mk1. This is one car I would have liked for myself. In fact I arranged to pick it up with the farmer who'd had it in his yard for ages. Problem was that I couldn't make it in time for him to clear his grounds, and so it went to a friend. Story of its discovery here 

4. The last of the Triads. If you are into three-wheelers and Mini derivatives, this has to be your choice. It is the 11th and last Triad ever built and came in the shape of an unfinished chassis and body, found in Evesham, complete with all its mechanical (period) bits. Full story here

5. The German Deep Sanderson. Another long-termer, as it took me years to find out about the whereabouts of this car, gone to Germany in the early 1980s. It, too, is currently under restoration while many people have now sent more informations about its background. Full story here

The mystery Maya GT that languished in Ashford, Kent for many many years
Picture courtesy Josh Willis
A rare Radford Mini Traveller, even unknown to the coachbuilt Mini experts!
Picture courtesy RM Auctions 
An early Mini Marcos Mk1 that had been lying in a farm yard for God knows how long
Picture Jeroen Booij archives 
The last of the Triads reappeared in Evesham, totally complete but never finished
Picture courtesy Mosquito-Triad register 
The Deep Sanderson 301 that resurfaced in Germany after years of sleuthing
Picture Jeroen Booij



3 comments:

  1. Vote now for the Maya GT as Find of the year 2012. For true believers, the ancient Maya calendar is a prime source for the prophecy that something very big is going to happen this year, 2012. Perhaps even the end of the world, or the Find of the year 2012! This may be no coincidence ;-).
    Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

    Peter

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    Replies
    1. Brilliant! Thanks for your catchy comment and all the best to you too!

      Delete
  2. My vote goes also to the Maya GT!

    Merry Christmas and a good 2013.

    Guus Jonker,
    www.vriendenkring-klassiekers.nl

    ReplyDelete