Mystery photo, circa 1940, is this an AC?

[nikbj68]

Calling all experts!
   I've received this photo from Tim Isles, who was told that the sleek 2-seater sports is an AC, but, neither he, nor John Spencer, are convinced...
   Unless...
   
   
   ...Do You recognise it? Is it a modified AC 'Special'?
   
   HELP! []

[Old Crock]

This looks to be an MG Magna L2, made 1933/4.
   
   I'll put up a couple of photos soon

[Old Crock]

   
   
   
   
   
   Interesting mascot by the way, could be that of a Gloster Meteor

[tim isles]

Old Crock,
   
   Thank you. I'm sure you are right.
   
   The smaller (16"?) wheels and the chunky tyres transform the looks of the car. They make it appear a bit beefier than the more elegant Magnas in your pictures, with their larger (19"?) wheels and skinnier tyres.
   
   The picture was taken in 1939/40. I think the mascot is probably a Mosquito. The owner was an RAF pilot who died in 1940.
   
   Tim

[Old Crock]

quote:Originally posted by tim isles
   
The picture was taken in 1939/40. I think the mascot is probably a Mosquito. The owner was an RAF pilot who died in 1940.

The dates, 1939/40, are too early for the mascot to be either a Gloster Meteor or a de Havilland Mosquito, so either the photo was taken later or we have the wrong aircraft!

[administrator]

Possibly a Comet Racer?

[B.P.Bird]

de Havilland Comet DH 88 would fit better with the timescale and that fin and the underslung nacelles are very persuasive.

[Old Crock]

Well, a car mascot of the Comet DH88 was made. One reference says it was in recognition of first place in the 1934 MacRobertson Trophy London to Melbourne Air Race, another saying the mascot was given to senior staff at the De Havilland company (maybe for reason of the win). The propellers were meant to turn as the car sped along. Here’s the mascot with that in the photo cropped and juxtaposed. Maybe the quality is better in Tim’s original photo but, to my squinting eyes, it looks similar.
   

[tim isles]

Quality of the original photo is no better, but I have examined it under a magnifying glass and I can only agree with your observations.
   
   Unconnected, given that the car has no blackout hoods on the headlights, I think we may assume the photo is not 1940? So pre-war.
   
   Owner was a member of the Waddingtons (Monopoly etc) family, and an amateur pilot. I wonder what the connection with the Comet is?
   
   Tim