Some photos from Smallspace
10, the sci-fi model show which took place last weekend in the
village of Hanslope, near Milton Keynes.
This
year, the theme was the sixtieth anniversary of Doctor Who and
featured a rare appearance of the ‘Whomobile, the futuristic –
looking vehicle, commissioned by former Doctor Who, actor Jon
Pertwee. (The car had made a previous appearance at Smallspace way
back in 2015)
Remarkably,
it’s street-legal and is classified by the DVLA as an ‘invalid
tricycle’
The
car appeared in two classic Doctor Who stories; ‘The Invasion of
The Dinosaurs,’ in which it appeared with a temporary wind shield
from a speedboat, as the full size cockpit canopy hadn’t completed,
and in ‘Planet of the Spiders’.
The
‘Whomobile’, which is actually called, ‘Alien’, was created
in 1973, and designed by Peter Farries, based on Jon Pertwee’s
instructions. Peter Farries, was at the time Chairman of Nottingham
Drag and Custom Club.
Although
it obviously has the intended appearance of a hovercraft, the
surrounding 8 inch rubber skirt conceals it’s three wheels. The
rear mounted engine is a Hillman Imp 875 cc, specially prepared by
Chrysler UK which I’ve read would have rebored it to a 998 cc.
The
engine cover is a place to tie down luggage as the car has no boot.
Note the grills which are presumably there to provide ventilation for
the engine. It has a reputed top speed of 105mph, although current
owner, Paul Buckland tells me, he’s not done over 45 mph in it,
Frankly, I don’t blame him. I’d imagine the overall visibility
inside the cockpit is very limited with no practical rear view
mirrors, apart from a single one protruding from the canopy.
It’s
14 feet long, and 7 feet wide, with the large rear fins extending 5
feet off the ground. The thicker than usual fibre glass body is
painted a metallic silver and red, which according to Paul Buckland,
is finished with 100 coats of lacquer.
Inside
the ‘futuristic’ 1970’s cockpit is a TV screen, a red
telephone receiver, a computer (in reality a group of flashing
coloured buttons) and a very 70’s looking piece of nostalgia, a
‘Monatone’ car cassette player!
The
hinged cockpit windscreen has a BBC Children in Need sticker, and a 1996 tax disc, coincidently the same year Jon Pertwee passed
away.
Absolutely, Arto. As we know, both Dapol and Corgi produced prototype toys but nothing came of them. I wonder if there was some complication to do with rights, between the BBC and Jon Pertwee, as it was never officially referred to as the Whomobile?
Not sure about tin lizzy, which I believe was what people called a vintage Ford Model T , but I'm assuming you're confusing the Whomobile with 'Bessie', the third Doctor's yellow Edwardian roadster.
Fabulous looking future car that Scoop. I've always liked this design. It sort of reminds me of a Bond Bug for some reason, which I was often a passenger in in the late Seventies. Paul Buckland is doing a grand job preserving this piece of TV history and your photographs are great. Thanks for sharing your day out with us once again.
Thanks Woodsy. I can understand the Bond Bug analogy, although this is a lot bigger. I almost bought a Bond Bug myself back in the day. A fun motor for sure, but not very practical,
Hi scoop. I went to the do on Sunday. Had I known you were there I would have introduced myself. Thought the whomobile looked great. I understand that they’re hoping to get it road legal. Will O.
Sorry we didn't bump into one another, Will O.I was there all day until it closed, and it's always good to meet up with folk in person. Maybe next time!
I was there too, Will, as a guest, at the BBC Visual Effects table, under my real name and nickname, Alan 'Rocky' Marshall. We may have even chatted unknowingly. As Scoop says, maybe next year.
Fantastical! It would've made a nice plastic kit or a toy. The speedboat sleekness of it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Arto. As we know, both Dapol and Corgi produced prototype toys but nothing came of them.
DeleteI wonder if there was some complication to do with rights, between the BBC and Jon Pertwee, as it was never officially referred to as the Whomobile?
I thought it was yellow...that must have been the tin lizzy
ReplyDeleteNot sure about tin lizzy, which I believe was what people called a vintage Ford Model T , but I'm assuming you're confusing the Whomobile with 'Bessie', the third Doctor's yellow Edwardian roadster.
DeleteI read about it on the web the other day after you folks posted the picture of it.
ReplyDeleteCan't vouch for what I read, but they claimed that Jon Pertwee owned it, and gave it away to a distraught fan who'd lost his mother.
Jon Pertwee sure sounds like a class act.
I've read the same thing, Scott. Jon would still occasionally use it after that for public appearances.
DeleteExtraordinary vehicle! Yes, we want a plastic model kit of this please! SFZ
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, SFZ :D
DeleteFabulous looking future car that Scoop. I've always liked this design. It sort of reminds me of a Bond Bug for some reason, which I was often a passenger in in the late Seventies. Paul Buckland is doing a grand job preserving this piece of TV history and your photographs are great. Thanks for sharing your day out with us once again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Woodsy. I can understand the Bond Bug analogy, although this is a lot bigger. I almost bought a Bond Bug myself back in the day. A fun motor for sure, but not very practical,
DeleteHi scoop. I went to the do on Sunday. Had I known you were there I would have introduced myself. Thought the whomobile looked great. I understand that they’re hoping to get it road legal. Will O.
ReplyDeleteSorry we didn't bump into one another, Will O.I was there all day until it closed, and it's always good to meet up with folk in person. Maybe next time!
DeleteWow. I love custom cars like this, thanks for sharing all the pics. I hadn't seen a Bond Bug either. Beats a Smart Car.
ReplyDeleteGlad to do it, Baron. I agree, I think a Bond Bug is way cooler than a Smart Car. :D
DeleteI was there too, Will, as a guest, at the BBC Visual Effects table, under my real name and nickname, Alan 'Rocky' Marshall. We may have even chatted unknowingly. As Scoop says, maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary car! It reminds me of a manta ray.
ReplyDeleteYep, with the swept up rear fins I can see what you mean, Ed.
Delete