Tim Schofield
Head of UK Business Development, Motoring
LOT 289
1932 Ford Sport 'Bissell Special' Registration no. SXS 517 Chassis no. AC73566MD
Estimate: £30,000 - £40,000
Lot 289
1932 Ford Sport 'Bissell Special'
Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|9 September 2023, 13:30 BST|Chichester, Goodwood
1932 Ford Sport 'Bissell Special'
Registration no. SXS 517
Chassis no. AC73566MD
Registration no. SXS 517
Chassis no. AC73566MD
• Built by Bob Bissell in the 1960s
• Present ownership since the early 1990s
• Post-war Oldsmobile Rocket 88 5.7-litre V8 engine
• Body, chassis and running gear restored and uprated by Lynx Motors
Based on a 1932 Ford Model A chassis, this interesting 'Bissell Special' was constructed in the 1960s by one Bob Bissell. It is powered by a modified post-war 5.7-litre Oldsmobile Rocket V8 engine and features a homebuilt steel body and racing-type suspension with hydraulic dampers. The car won its class in hotrod shows and concours in the USA, and remained with the original owner until it was sold to the UK in 1989, ending up with an antique dealer, reputedly to settle a debt. Our vendor purchased the car some two years later.
Apart from the engine, the car has undergone a complete rebuild at Lynx Motors: chassis strengthened by boxing in, zinc painted and internally wax injected; Panhard rod fitted; coil spring dampers and disc brakes fitted; and much other work. Lynx also restored the body, fitting a new fuel tank, rear bulkhead and boot floor, while the boot lid was reworked internally to achieve a much neater appearance. They also swapped the large bonnet bulge for one of more modest dimensions, greatly improving the look of the car.
Following an engine failure, the top-end was rebuilt three years ago by Cranborne Garage of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. On inspection, several rockers were found to be broken and some pushrods bent. Accordingly, both cylinder heads were removed and thoroughly overhauled before being refitted. In addition, the aluminium radiator was found to be a special design for this particular vehicle; it was corroded and blocked beyond cleaning, so a very-close-in-size Mazda MX-5 radiator core was mated to the top and bottom Oldsmobile tanks. Bills for all the aforementioned works are available and the car also comes with a current MoT and a V5C Registration Certificate, the latter listing it as a 'Ford Sport'. The convertible hood's frame and its cover are in the boot. Described by the private vendor as in very good/excellent condition, this unique American hotrod is a guaranteed head-turner at any gathering of classic motor cars.
• Present ownership since the early 1990s
• Post-war Oldsmobile Rocket 88 5.7-litre V8 engine
• Body, chassis and running gear restored and uprated by Lynx Motors
Based on a 1932 Ford Model A chassis, this interesting 'Bissell Special' was constructed in the 1960s by one Bob Bissell. It is powered by a modified post-war 5.7-litre Oldsmobile Rocket V8 engine and features a homebuilt steel body and racing-type suspension with hydraulic dampers. The car won its class in hotrod shows and concours in the USA, and remained with the original owner until it was sold to the UK in 1989, ending up with an antique dealer, reputedly to settle a debt. Our vendor purchased the car some two years later.
Apart from the engine, the car has undergone a complete rebuild at Lynx Motors: chassis strengthened by boxing in, zinc painted and internally wax injected; Panhard rod fitted; coil spring dampers and disc brakes fitted; and much other work. Lynx also restored the body, fitting a new fuel tank, rear bulkhead and boot floor, while the boot lid was reworked internally to achieve a much neater appearance. They also swapped the large bonnet bulge for one of more modest dimensions, greatly improving the look of the car.
Following an engine failure, the top-end was rebuilt three years ago by Cranborne Garage of Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. On inspection, several rockers were found to be broken and some pushrods bent. Accordingly, both cylinder heads were removed and thoroughly overhauled before being refitted. In addition, the aluminium radiator was found to be a special design for this particular vehicle; it was corroded and blocked beyond cleaning, so a very-close-in-size Mazda MX-5 radiator core was mated to the top and bottom Oldsmobile tanks. Bills for all the aforementioned works are available and the car also comes with a current MoT and a V5C Registration Certificate, the latter listing it as a 'Ford Sport'. The convertible hood's frame and its cover are in the boot. Described by the private vendor as in very good/excellent condition, this unique American hotrod is a guaranteed head-turner at any gathering of classic motor cars.
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