Thursday 23 September 2021

The Belgian Ogle SX1000 barn find

Don't tell me that all the good barn finds have been found by now. If you are determined to find a car, you will find it, or so I believe. I'd heard about an Ogle SX1000, one of just 6 left hand driven cars, that was sold new to Belgium and supposedly still there, somewhere. To cut one long story very short - I found it - in a barn. 

It's a non-runner but also a unique car, which has seen some work done to it, but which is also still mostly very original. Apart from the engine (a later 998), the wiring (a real mess), the carpeting (replaced) and the bumpers (missing) all of the parts seem to be there, with even some spares. Some minor welding has been done to the front floors, but even those still seem to be the originals. What's more: the original Belgian registration document is there, dated July 1962. I have found out some of its history yet and found that the car was sold through Jaguar dealer and Mini racer Julien Vernaeve of Ghent when new, supposedly to a doctor. The original registration is in the name of a lady, whom I still hope to track down. Were there ever any other lhd cars that were sold on the European mainland? I'm not sure but don't think so.

So... after a lot of deliberation and negotiation the car is now here with me in The Netherlands. As with genuine barn finds it was very dusty and I took plenty of pictures of it in that state. However, I gave it a wash this morning and was surprised how well it came out. Oh, that great colour is a Jaguar Bronze seen on E-types of the same era, and I think it's one of the best hues for the SX1000. So... there you go... another myth debunked and great find found! Do let me know what you think.


An Ogle SX1000 sold new to Belgium, which was hidden there until last week
Picture Jeroen Booij

A non-runner, but it seems very original to me with most of the parts there
Picture Jeroen Booij

1 of 6 left hand driven cars, it's possibly the only one sold new to the European continent?
Picture Jeroen Booij

Bumpers are missing and rear lights are not the originals but it's quite complete
Picture Jeroen Booij

The paint colour is Jaguar Bronze seen on one or two more Ogle SX1000s
Picture Jeroen Booij

Garage Viaene was a former owner, but Jaguar dealer Julien Vernaeve originally sold it
Picture Jeroen Booij

Supposedly sold to a doctor, I hope to find out more about its early history now
Picture Jeroen Booij

Interior needs work with the wiring a real mess but again, it seems complete
Picture Jeroen Booij

That's the cover to get access to the petrol tank, battery and spare wheel
Picture Jeroen Booij

Doors open and close beautifully. The SX1000 was a well developed car
Picture Jeroen Booij

Unfortunately the original Cooper 1000 engine has been replaced by a standard 1000
Picture Jeroen Booij

69 Ogle SX1000 were made and they are one of the most sought after Mini derivatives
Picture Jeroen Booij

It's not perfect and needs plenty of work, but isn't that a real beauty?
Picture Jeroen Booij

5 comments:

  1. Lucky for us most barn finds of the past will be barn find again in a decade or two. We all have huge plans for them but only a small percentage really get what they deserve ;-) But what a great find, love it! I'm still looking for a Janson three-wheeler build by my great grandad 100 years ago in Rotterdam. Time to re-energise my quest!

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  2. Heel erg gefeliciteerd Jeroen!,
    Schitterende auto.
    En wat een mooie lange zoektocht heb je erbij gekregen!
    In alle opzichten bijzonder.
    Lodewijk

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  3. Very nice find. Are the seats original? They look like MkIV Triumph Spitfire items to me.

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    Replies
    1. I don't know! This is what it came with.

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    2. Yes indeed surfblue63

      https://newtoncomm.co.uk/products/triumph-spitfire-mk4-seat-covers-vinyl-leather-1970-1973

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