Ashley (automobile)

Ashley Laminates was a British manufacturer of car bodies, chassis and kit cars, who worked from 1955 to 1962 in Loughton ( Essex ), Potteries ( Epping Forest ( Essex ) ) and Bush Fair ( Harlow ( Essex ) ). He also offered a number of automotive parts such as radiators, tanks, light plants, steel frame tubes, aluminum sheets, different parts for the wheel suspension, water pumps, tires, tubes and wheels for small volume manufacturers. In addition, the company introduced bonnets and hardtops for various production vehicles such as the Austin -Healey Sprite and the Jaguar E-Type forth.

History

Ashley Laminates was founded in 1955 by Peter Pellandine and Keith Waddington. The name Ashley chose the company's founder, because Peter Pellandines house in Woodford Green was called so. In a garage near the Robin Hood Inn in Loughton, they built a small factory, were made ​​in the bodywork. The body of the first car was built in fiberglass. Today, in place of the garage parking.

The end of 1956 Pellandine left the company to Falcon Shells, another small volume manufacturers to found. Pellandine retained the rights and the tools for the Ashley 750 short wheelbase and the Ashley Sports Racer, resulting in the following models Falcon Mk I and Mk II Falcon emerged.

1958 drew Ashley laminate according to the Potteries in Epping Forest, because there was more production space. The sales room was in Loughton. There is also a new body, the Ashley 1172 and the Regent chassis was introduced. In 1960, the Ashley Sportiva.

1961 the company moved again to, after Bush Fair Harlow, but the following year the construction of bodies was suspended because the market situation for small series vehicles had deteriorated significantly as a result of the changed VAT regime. However, the company continued to provide hardtops and bonnets made ​​of fiberglass for sports car manufactures.

Promotional literature from 1963 show that the company had changed its name to Ashley Car Improvements and was moved again, this time to Bishop's Stortford ( Hertfordshire).

Although Keith Waddington died in the mid -1960s, the company continued until 1972.

Models

Ashley 750

It was based on the short chassis (wheelbase: 1905 mm) of the Austin 7 with its 747- cc engine ( hence the name). Later, it was also a version with a long wheelbase ( 2057 mm). The price was similar for both models is the same: £ 78 for the body and £ 25 for the hardtop. The early hardtops had double doors, but probably none of which has survived to this day. As Pallandine left the company, taking with him the rights to build the short version, while Ashley far built the long version.

Ashley Sports Racer

It was introduced shortly after the 750, cost £ 90 and was available with wheelbases between 2108 mm and 2210 mm. As the name said, this body was designed more for racing than for everyday use. You could be mounted on an Elva chassis. Also, a number of contemporary race cars were equipped with them.

Ashley 1172

He came out in August 1958, and was originally a roadster with removable hardtop. He was placed 8 hp and 10 hp with 2286 mm wheelbase on the chassis of the Ford models that were equipped with the 1172 cc engine ( hence the name). The Regent chassis was offered as an alternative basis for the body. In early 1959, there was a coupe and starting in January 1960 there was also a 1172 that fit on the ladder frame chassis of the Ford Prefect with 2388 mm wheelbase. The Roadster bodies cost £ 105, while the coupe could be had for £ 160.

Ashley Sportiva

It was manufactured in November 1960 and was initially a 1172 with a different front. It gave him as a pure body or chassis with Ashley. It was available as a convertible or coupe, with two or four seats. Later Sportivas had a revised rear with trunk lid and a longer wheelbase 2438 mm, so they adapted to the new Mark -6 chassis. The coupe body was £ 182