Embedded Files
In the UK, as well as being fitted to a myriad of home built specials with varied mechanical components, the Microplas Mistral fiberglass body shell also graced the chassis of several factory built cars, including Fairthorpes, TVRs, a Fraser Nash, Morgan and especially Bucklers. There may also be others.
Below are images of a variety of UK cars with Mistral bodies. These photos were largely gathered from the Internet and I have very little information on these cars. I am happy to add references, photo credits and additional information on these cars if people are willing to forward these to me.
I understand this is John Burton driving the 1958 Alton-Jaguar powered Mistral
Here is a link to the history of the car in Motorsport magazine.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1959/45/the-alton-jaguar
Buckler DD2 with Mistral body.
A lot of information on this car can be found via this link.https://classicsglemham.org.uk/1959-buckler-dd2-mistral-1
A Buckler chassis - not necessarily the one pictured above
EJS Coventry Climax Special (PRK 750)
A racing car created by engineer Edwin Joseph Snusher, who started building the car in 1954 and spent two years designing and developing the car to compete against Lotus, Cooper, Elva and Tojeiro.
Built based upon a custom tube chassis with his own unique solutions for suspension and steering. Using Mistral fibreglass bodywork supplied by Microplas and powered by a Coventry Climax engine with a 5-speed Aston Martin DB3 transmission.
After only a few races, the car was damaged in an accident and was dismantled with the original engine and gearbox being sold and the car remaining in storage for some 45 years, after which it was fully restored and fitted with an 1100cc Coventry Climax FWA engine and 4-speed MGA transmission.
Source Classic and Restoration Sportscars website
This appears to be the Daimler V8 powered Buckler- Mistral from 1958. A very intersting combination.
Here is a link to more information on this car. https://www.psychoontyres.co.uk/tag/buckler/
Later model UK Mistral body shell with revisied single side louvre design
Some Mistrals in the UK seem to have been built without the headlight cutouts like this one
Mistral body lengthened behind the door to fit an MGA chassis From MGAguru.com
A Mistral with Morris Minor mechanicals and twin tube chassis from Andrew Shepherd
A Triumph TR powered Mistral
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse