1966 ?
Gerry Anderson and FAB 1
pic: network nine news
I first came across the story of the lost life-size FAB 1 in Engale Marketing's excellent Century 21 magazine, where an extensive article and photo gallery described the discovery of the car, completely trashed, in an old barn and its subsequent transformation. I can't find my copy of the magazine anymore so here's an account culled from various online sources. Alas I can't find a picture of the car wreck in the barn. I'm sure there was a second large-scale film prop FAB 1 biult as well. Does anybody know?
A full-sized replica of FAB1, based on a Chinese-six (four in front, two in back), Bedford Duple Vega coach chassis, was constructed to transport Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the London premiere of Thunderbirds Are GO (the vehicle broke down within a few hundred yards of departure and Gerry and Sylvia were forced to take a taxi cab to the premiere). However Rolls-Royce were not impressed by the car, which had a very poorly executed fibreglass body, and made several attempts to purchase it and have it destroyed. For a time they succeeded in forcing the removal of the genuine, RR grille which was replaced by a replica, bearing the initials LP instead [Wikipedia].
The subsequent history of the car is a bit obscure, but it is known to have been purchased by the owner of a small safari park and motor museum, who let it gradually decay. In 1989 it was eventually traced by Peter Nelson, owner of the [now closed] Cars of the Stars museum in Keswick, Cumbria who successfully outbid Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and the Bee Gees manager to acquire it, although it was by then in a state of total disrepair. Nelson commissioned Mellor Coachcraft of Rochdale, better know for making minibuses, to carry out a restoration [Telegraph 2004].
A full-sized replica of FAB1, based on a Chinese-six (four in front, two in back), Bedford Duple Vega coach chassis, was constructed to transport Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the London premiere of Thunderbirds Are GO (the vehicle broke down within a few hundred yards of departure and Gerry and Sylvia were forced to take a taxi cab to the premiere). However Rolls-Royce were not impressed by the car, which had a very poorly executed fibreglass body, and made several attempts to purchase it and have it destroyed. For a time they succeeded in forcing the removal of the genuine, RR grille which was replaced by a replica, bearing the initials LP instead [Wikipedia].
The subsequent history of the car is a bit obscure, but it is known to have been purchased by the owner of a small safari park and motor museum, who let it gradually decay. In 1989 it was eventually traced by Peter Nelson, owner of the [now closed] Cars of the Stars museum in Keswick, Cumbria who successfully outbid Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and the Bee Gees manager to acquire it, although it was by then in a state of total disrepair. Nelson commissioned Mellor Coachcraft of Rochdale, better know for making minibuses, to carry out a restoration [Telegraph 2004].
A year later the revitalised FAB1 was a star of the 1990 Great British Film Rally, where Nelson encountered the men from Crewe. "I had received a letter from Rolls-Royce saying I couldn't use the radiator, but there was already that letter dating back to the original request, giving permission. Then I was approached on the rally by a Rolls-Royce representative asking if I'd sell. It seemed pretty obvious to me that if I did, the car would disappear for good. So I refused [Telegraph 2004].
1990
Trevor Nelson and the restored FAB 1
picture: Cars of the Stars/ Telegraph
ReplyDeletehere's a pic of the second one, just below the first:
http://tinyurl.com/9q8lwd8
I'm sure I've seen a pic of that car in its pre-restored state, but that could've been in the museum itself, or (maybe) they had a book which I bought and mislaid...
Best -- Paul
The small safari park was Heathfield Wildlife Park in East Sussex. My father, as head zookeeper found it in a barn underneath some hay bales in the mid-late 70's. Some restoration work was done at the time to get it back working as the safari park owner's son used it as a wedding car. My memory on it is vague as I was only a small child at the time but there are some photos about somewhere of it which i shall attempt to dig out
ReplyDeletestuartorchard73@gmaildotcom
Hi, I drove in this FAB 1 in 1970 as related below your post. It was in a pretty poor state inside even then so I imagine it broke down and was abandoned at the Wildlife park where it may have been used for a promotion? It is now in a Museum in Florida.
DeleteI won a competition at EXPO 70 in 1970 to be driven in this original FAB 1 across the field in front of the crowd line of kids and parents. Was I embarrassed. It was pretty basic inside then, unfinished and raw fibreglass with a bench seat with a leather cushion on it. The driver (Owner?) had a chauffeur cap and blazer on, seen from outside but jeans on underneath I found when I clambered in. I won by drinking a pint of orange squash faster than the other kids in the competition in a Marquee tent. I was impressed by how it had been restored and luxuriously finished in white leather inside now when I saw it in the 90s with my son at Cars of the satrs museum, Keswick. Now it is in a museum in Miami, Florida. Gerry Anderson wanted it destroying and also spoke with me on this by private e mail, before his death just two years ago January 13th, 2013. Rolls Royce wanted it removed also. Paul Davies (Formerly of Blackburn, where Expo 70 was held at Witton Park, if I remember. I was 10.
ReplyDeleteI meant Cars of the Stars, Museum. This also had Bond cars from Goldfinger, also Emma Peel`s Lotus from The Avengers, KITT car from Knight Rider, the Flintstones car, Batmobiles and many other cars like the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard as well as FAB 1. Sad to say, no photos were allowed. Does anyone have a pic of me in the FAB 1 at EXPO 70 in Blackburn, 1970 at Witton Park? p.73davies@sky.com
DeleteHi Paul
ReplyDeleteI shall blog your request for photos this week and see what turns up.
Woodsy
Yes I remember seeing FAB 1 at cars of the stars, can't remember the exact date, but do remember the sheer size of the car which was probably one of the biggest exhibits there! Thought it looked great at the time.
ReplyDeletehi i can add a small link in the fab 1 story..in 1971 i purchase a vw beetle from a guy that worked at a childrens home in westoning bedfrodshire ..macintyre childrens home.in the sheds at the rear of the home was FAB 1 in one of the garages/sheds.in poor condition . we did ask the guy abought it he said it was for funding raising .. he did show us some film props as well.[tarzans knife] a very large over sized bowie type knife..so FAB 1 was in bedfordshire in july 1971 ish regards jb
ReplyDeleteHi JB, that's fascinating! I wonder if its linked to this one in Bedfordshire a couple of years before? https://www.flickr.com/photos/59455242@N07/11476975355/in/photostream/
Deletei suspect it was used by macintyre childrens homes..for fundraising..it was at leighton buzzard carnival in 1968 ish we have a picture of it on our fbook page.plus macintyre homes had a lot of support from the entertainment people.. i did see play in a day bert weedon at there wingrave home in 1997 ish..and there have been several sighting of FAB1 on our fbook page around our area woburn abbey/bletchley/leighton buzzard/..interesting stuff
DeleteThere's more coming on the blog about FAB1 on the 25th of this month.
DeleteHi there...I remember seeing FAB 1 in the front window of a smallish car showroom in Bletchley,not a main dealer...Only noticed it as it was a couple of doors away from the chippy we were heading for..I would have to guess that this would have been late 68,early 69..and even seeing it through the window,at night,it looked pretty roughly put together
ReplyDeleteHi, that's really interesting. I wonder if it was the same car seen at a car dealership in Bucks at the same time?
Deletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/59455242@N07/11476975355/in/photostream/
I remember seeing the car on display in the Davenport Vernon car showroom in the 1960s. I seem to rember there was a contest of some kind connected to it.
DeleteThats really interesting. I wonder what the contest was? And what was the prize - to sit in it?
Delete