A couple of reports ago, I mentioned the fact that my friend Bill had built his own radical sports machine starting with just chalk marks drawn on the factory floor.

I’m not sure how it all started but there were a number of detractors once the project became known around the traps. You’ve got to start with something as a base and then modify it was the prevailing “wisdom” but this was not for Bill. “If I’m going to build my own car, then I’m going to build my own car, from start to finish, every nut and bolt.”

Originally the idea was to build the car around a vee twelve Jaguar drivetrain but eventually he settled on Jaguar front and rear ends with a Holden VL – RB30 Nissan six cylinder engine. This engine has built quite a reputation over the years and is now recognized as one of the best six cylinder engines ever made.

Now Bill is a “curves” man. “There are no straight lines in nature, so there will be no straight lines on the ‘special’” was his maxim as he began to plan the final layout. Of course, I couldn’t help reminding him that the 1929 Dodge Limousine and the 1930’s REO he had helped rebuild were mainly “straight line” bodies. “That’s OK for wedding cars, but not for a sports special” was his only reply.

Gradually the body began to take shape. Starting with the passenger capsule which was a full monocoque construction, it was soon  followed by the bonnet and guards and finally the trunk, rear guards and built in spoiler which was part of the roof structure. The bonnet and guards were another “Bill special”. Starting with just a flat sheet of panel steel, he “wheeled” and “dollied” away ‘til in just a couple of days they were complete. True to form, even the screens (both front and back) were quite unique. Press a button and the front screen disappears into the scuttle while at the same time, two little “fly screens” rise to take its place. Similarly, at a press of a button, the back screen disappears into a recess behind the seats giving the full flowthru affect.

All the light buckets, headlight, parking lights, tail-lights and indicators were individually made then sent off to the chrome plater as were the bumper bars and radiator surround.

When checked by the engineer, the only problem was that the car was too strong. Before registering it, he had to “weaken” the front by building in a “crumple zone” but that being done it was duly registered and has provided the last few years with a very happy motoring experience. The only problem with the car has been the spoked wheels. The car is so quick and handles so well that on a recent club outing while negotiating a mountain stage, Bill spun the centre out of one of the rear wheels but that’s a small price to pay for owning a truly remarkable “William Bonner” sports machine.

Enjoy examining the following photograph and see if you can work out the name Bill has given his very special vehicle. Not the sort of name you would want on a very sedate Melbourne wedding car.