Chico

PanhardPL

Has anyone ever come across this rear engined vehicle that was built in Buncrana, Co. Donegal in the early 1980's.

PanhardPL

PanhardPL wrote:

Has anyone ever come across this rear engined vehicle that was built in Buncrana, Co. Donegal in the early 1980's.

I am very surprised that nobody has ever heard or come across this type of vehicle which was manufactured by a German firm in Buncrana in an IDA factory in the early 1980's, later to be taken over by Fruit of the Loom when the Germans moved back home.

Anybody interested in seeing a photo, let me know with your email add. and I will send same.

2cv

Picture would be interesting :-)

TigerTim

There was a make of car called a Clan (Clan Crusader?) made which used Imp engine & running gear. Thought it was made in Northern Ireland (i.e. 6 counties). As far as I remember it was a fiberglass body & some were used for Rallying & Circuit racing.

T

Ballykine43

Yep, Clan had a varied history and some were built near Newtownards. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Crusader for a potted history

dahamsta

There's a page about the Clan cars here, found via Google Images.

http://www.imps4ever.info/specials/clan.html

Owners club too.

http://www.clanownersclub.com/

adam

Silvera

PanhardPL,

Try posting a pic of the CHICO here, I would like to see it.

Click on (Below) 'Manage Attachments' then 'Browse' then 'Upload' to post a pic.

UncleDeez

Here are a few pictures from PanhardPL.

PanhardPL

Maybe the name of the manufacturer in Buncrana who produced this vehicle in 1984, will surely ring a bell with somebody.

PanhardPL

Maybe these pics will trigger a memory from the early 1980's

Oshbosh

Hi,

i'm from that area and used to see these regularly driving up the road and also driving ......across the Lough Swilly !!! That's right, these babies were amphibious !

Don't remember anything else really except they were short lived, i think they got a government grant, came in, set up, went bust and left taking all the machinery with them, bit of a scam i think,

anyway, there you go,

Oshbosh

PanhardPL

Well I must say you are the first person to come on here and know what a Chico was and where built etc.
I saw one parked outside the factory reg. 800 IH and just wonder whatever happened to it, did it go with the machinery or stay around the area. Mine came from a firm in Dublin and recently has been completely resprayed and looks like new.

Oshbosh

What do you use it for ? Is yours amphibious ? Been out in the water ?

Sent your photos to a friend of mine, he said his Dad's engineering business used to have one, i'll see him this weekend so must ask him about it. If you want to know about Chicos, go to Buncrana, i'm sure lots of people remember them there

PanhardPL

Its part of my collection and it would be super if your friend had any more information on what now is a rare type of vehicle. As regards using it in water, I dont think I would risk taking it across a river, in the past I drove it along a shallow river and I can tell you its not waterproof.
If you would like me to send you some current photos, let me have your email address in a pvt.

Oshbosh

maybe there were different versions, i seem to remember that they took them out in deep water, right across the lough, maybe i'm just imagining it now as i was a kid at the time but i seem to remember they had some kind of propellor sticking out the back, will check this weekend and see what my friend remembers,

PanhardPL

This is the latest photo of the Chico.


CHICO

Oshbosh

There's actually a vintage car & transport museum in Buncrana, can't remember the local guy's name now that owns it, he would be very interested in your Chico i think as its part of local history. I think his name is Bradley, not sure.

June to September:
Monday - Sunday: 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Off Season Every Sunday and Weekends by appointment.
07493-61130

He could probably give you a lot of background information and i'm sure would love to see your fine Chico

PanhardPL

Many thanks for that bit of information. Actually I visited that Museum a number of years back and never thought about asking them about the Chico. I will try and make telephone contact with them over the weekend and who's knows what information or data they will have available.