
Lot 246 - 1975 12871 Type 35 by TEAL
Lot Number | 246 |
Registration | HKA 940N |
Chassis Number | SABTVR03308118999 |
Engine Number | OBL17E625568 |
Odometer reading | 62,286 miles |
Estimate | £16,000 - £20,000 |
Result | Sold - £24,640 |
At the Pack Horse Inn, Affetside, Alan Hunter showed his two
friends Ian Foster and Tony Rogers a brochure of a Volkswagen, rear
engined fibreglass replica of a Bugatti Type 35 he had picked
up on a business trip to America. Ian Foster, once a chassis
designer for Daimler, demonstrated on the back of a cigarette
packet, how a strong chassis could be produced using the American
body moulds to end up with a front engined version. In short the
Worsley Bugatti was born. However, Ian remembered from his days at
Daimler, Worsley was the nickname for a Friday car - a duff one -
so a search was made for a new name. In the end Trafford
Engineering Automotive Limited (TEAL) was decided upon. In 1986,
Bob Jones purchased TEAL Cars from Ian Foster. Bob developed (with
chassis builder Peter Farrell) the early T35 to accept a more
authentic aluminium coachwork. On the 5th October 1986 the first
all aluminium Teal was born. Public reaction was highly positive
with the company selling 16 cars in the first six months. The TEAL
was further developed with the Types 43, 44, 52 and 59 versions
also being manufactured. TEAL Cars finally ceased production in
1998. Today, there is a thriving club to cater for all types of the
TEAL.
Presented today is Ian Foster's own car, originally GRP, built in
January 1984. It was retained by him when the company was sold and
re-bodied in aluminium by Bob Jones in 1988. Sadly, Ian Foster
passed away in 2005 and the car was sold. It was bought by marque
specialist Keith Lidgerwood in 2009 by which time it had acquired a
windscreen instead of the Brooklands aero screens and larger
18-inch wheels in place of the original 15 inch wheels. Power is
supplied by a 1798cc MGB engine mated to a four speed all
synchromesh gearbox and MGB rear axle. Fuel is delivered by a twin
choke Weber carburettor. Braking is provided by discs at the front
and drums at the rear with an external handbrake lever by the
driver. Modern headlights sit within period brass rimmed light
units giving an authentic look whilst also providing brighter
lights for those late evening trips. The driver is presented with
an aluminium engine turned dashboard, a Mota-Lita steering wheel
and an array of gauges. A full/half tonneau cover protects the
cockpit either when parked or with just the driver aboard and
stowage is available for soft luggage behind the seat. The TEAL
benefits from a set of five Brockley tyres and a UK registration
document that records the car correctly as a TEAL Kit 35. It
further benefits from an MoT test certificate valid until 3rd
February 2015.
The Bob Jones aluminium TEALs are fast becoming recognised in
their own right and, as this is believed to be the earliest
surviving TEAL, it is an important part of the TEAL history; an
opportunity indeed.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.