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The Dawn Car
‘Dawn Inventions’ and ‘The Dawn Car’. Does that sound familiar to anyone?
Chris sent us this picture and documentation of ‘The Dawn Car’. He wrote “Indirectly my late father had a tenuous relationship with the would-be backers of the project, at least one of whom was South African. It would appear that this was the prototype. Does anyone know more about it and where the picture was taken?“
Who can help us out? Please comment below.
Gepubliceerd:
dinsdag december 15th, 2020
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Reacties
Chris Jewitt
22 Januari 2021, 08:17
Fraser May
16 December 2020, 19:49
Chris, could you tell me who your father was and, if you know, how he knew my Father and the project? As I've said i have much more information and pictures.
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John Bates
15 December 2020, 17:40
The engine must have been around 1200 c.c. so the performance is impressive. It's in the MG league! This must stem from the car's light weight and aerodynamic styling. We are not told the material of the body - aluminium frame and panels. perhaps? It has to be late 1930s. Fraser May could clear this up.
However, I have a feeling that the car would not have appealed to the British, rather conservative, market. Pity!
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However, I have a feeling that the car would not have appealed to the British, rather conservative, market. Pity!
Fraser May
15 December 2020, 14:35
The Dawn car was soley my father's brain child. He'd used the name long before for a racing car he built, among other things. The Dawn 5 seater was built in the mid 1930s. It was shown at the Earls' Court Motor show in hopes of getting funding to go into production with a slightly more advanced model. Unfortunately, there was a break in and the whole power unit, which was integral to the design was stolen. The police said it was obviously a professional job. Dad and his colleagues had no more money to rebuild. The Car, minus rear end was in storage in the East End while Dad was in the RAF. The warehouse took a direct hit.
Mr. Wilson's design was much later. Similar cars to that were being produced by people like Tatra.
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Mr. Wilson's design was much later. Similar cars to that were being produced by people like Tatra.
Graham Gasson
15 December 2020, 11:49
It appears the photo was taken at Brooklands Race Track, Weybridge, Surrey. Middle right, I can just see the start of 'Vickers' which was painted on the track side of the Vickers factory, which was next to the finishing straight. This was 'blacked' out for WW2, so it suggests the photo was taken pre-1939. I hope this helps? Regards, Graham
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Fraser May
16 December 2020, 12:52
The car was built in one of the arches in Shepherds Bush. Dad and his mates took it to Brooklands for testing. As I have said before I have a lot more information and pictures as the Dawn was my Fathers idea and build, with three friends. As I've also said before this was in the mid 30s. I believe the shell was aluminium. A production version would have had, if I remember correctly , pop up headlights and a one piece windshield. Along with a lot of photos I also have some drawings.
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Fraser J May
15 December 2020, 10:25
The car was designed, by my Father, Claude H. May. It was a prototype for a production car. It was built in Shepherd's Bush as shown in your photo. Lapped Brooklands at 85mph. I have a lot more photos and information, including some drawings.
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Herman van Oldeneel
15 December 2020, 09:57
Was a Mr L.A. Wilson involved in the design?
His wining design competition model - see attachment- looks a lot like the Dawn car.
With some more information like names of the people involved with the Dawn project maybe I can find some more information.
Lees verder
His wining design competition model - see attachment- looks a lot like the Dawn car.
With some more information like names of the people involved with the Dawn project maybe I can find some more information.
Did your father ever live in South Africa? I vaguely recall a speed boat on Durban harbour fitted with an inboard Lycoming engine. owned by Claude May. Could that have been him?