![Mystery car](/pictures/26251.jpg)
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This car was built in the Orkney Islands in the 1950s.
I am looking for information about it - who built it and what was it based on?
Picture added on 10 March 2012 at 21:01
This picture is in the following groups
Mystery places or things or people
Mystery places or things or people
This car was built by William Johnston Of Collingwood, Quadrant, Kirkwall. It was called the Swan and had a Douglas motor cycle engine when built
Added by William P Drever on 11 March 2012
Norman if you contact me I will send you some film of the car. [email protected]
Added by Kenny Thomson on 11 March 2012
I think this car is the one built by Reynold Johnstone's [tyre fitters] father who had blockworks at Hatston. Those 2 men are both deceased. Reynold has a son but Im not sure he stays. Reynolds dad I think was Bill and referred to as Blocky Bill. Reynold was a canny hand too. He converted a bus into a motor home. On the rear of the bus was the name OVERLANDER.
Added by Ex Bb Member on 11 March 2012
I think this car was built by Wm Johnstone (Blocky Bill) of Haston Concrete Works. It had a Douglas motor cycle engine if I'm not mistaken.
Added by Brian Findlay on 12 March 2012
I think this is the car which was expertly built by the late William (Bill) Johnstone. He established an excellent cement block building business within one of the hangers at Hatston. I also think the Number Plate of the car was BS 1111.
Added by Lex F. Craigie on 12 March 2012
I think that the late Herbert Rendall ex Sutherlands (Plumbers) was involved in the bodywork of this car
Added by T Tullock on 12 March 2012
The number of this car was transfared to Bill Johnstons Rolls Royce . The last time that I saw it J D Peace had it.
Added by William P Drever on 13 March 2012
You're all pretty much right!...Walter Scott has the car now and it was on top of the bar in the Motorhoose!
Added by Billy Johnstone on 15 March 2012
The car is called Signet - a baby swan.
Claire Johnstone (grand-daughter of Reynold Johnstone)
Claire Johnstone (grand-daughter of Reynold Johnstone)
Added by Claire Johnstone on 15 March 2012
Many thanks indeed for all your comments!
Great help.
Great help.
Added by Norman Hawkes on 15 March 2012
'Signet' or 'Cygnet' Claire? If the former, the car would have been named for a seal - eg a wax seal, a royal seal, the imprint from a signet-ring etc. If the latter, a young swan. The car doesn't look much like either of those, but then the Ford Sierra never looked much like a mountain range.
Added by Ian Hourston on 16 March 2012
Great info all and thanks.
I still need to know though - what chassis was it based on and what engine does it have now (the Douglas engine was replaced some time ago)!
Nice to hear from people who knew William Johnstone!
I still need to know though - what chassis was it based on and what engine does it have now (the Douglas engine was replaced some time ago)!
Nice to hear from people who knew William Johnstone!
Added by Norman Hawkes on 16 March 2012
Blocky Bill also built a machine for carrying the concrete blocks out to dry
Added by Ex Bb Member on 16 March 2012
Will try and find out a bit more from Walter as he will be guaranteed to have the full story!
Anonymous comment added on 19 March 2012
Yes my father Herbert Rendall was a tinsmith and had all the tools for shaping sheet metal so he could easily have been involved with the bodywork, I remember him telling me that he used to have BS 1111 on a small Rover car in the late 1920's.
Added by Edwin Rendall on 20 March 2012
Everyone has been a great help.
But I still need to know what chassis the car used and what engine it currently has!
Has anyone been able to contact Walter Scott to ask him what he know? Can anyone give me his contact details so I could contact him myself?
Many thanks
But I still need to know what chassis the car used and what engine it currently has!
Has anyone been able to contact Walter Scott to ask him what he know? Can anyone give me his contact details so I could contact him myself?
Many thanks
Added by Norman Hawkes on 26 March 2012
Hi Norman
You could call Walter on 01856 872713
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You could call Walter on 01856 872713
Added by Bill Johnstone (Jnr!) on 29 March 2012