The era of the specialist sports car during the 1950s and ʼ60s produced many new vehicle manufacturers, most of which only lasted a few years. Peter Pellandine, who had worked with Keith Waddington at Ashley Laminates, left to form his own company, Falcon Shells. This successful firm made a variety of bodies and components for enthusiasts building Specials, in particular on Austin Seven and sidevalve Ford mechanicals.
In 1962, Pellandine sold his business to Mike Moseley, who moved it to Hatfield and expanded into other glassfibre products, such as boat hulls, window boxes and items for the agricultural industry. All along he had ideas for a new car, and the Falcon 515 appeared at the Racing Car Show in 1963, where it drew a lot of attention. Reputedly designed by Brazilian Tom Rohonyl, it is thought to have been inspired by the Ferrari 400 Superamerica.
It had a spaceframe made by Progress, with the bodyshell bonded to it, and a Ford 1500cc engine. Moseley was helped by mechanic Howden Ganley, who subsequently raced the 515 a couple of times and went on to have a career in Formula One. Three 515s were entered for Le Mans, but the entry was refused.
It is not known how many 515s were produced, but estimates vary between just a handful and 25. Two appear to have survived, both now owned by John Jarrett in South Wales. He heard of a 515 in Scotland and, while at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, he went to see the car and bought it.
“It had a rather Heath-Robinson back-axle arrangement and it needed a body-off restoration,” recalls John. He later discovered that Moseley still had a car, telling him: “Itʼs under the hedge and has a good windscreen – take it away.”
The Moseley car was trailered to Specials Day at Burford in 2007 and exhibited as a project, but its restoration has now begun. The other 515 has been standing in the open since 1997, and John now thinks itʼs time to declutter so is offering both for sale as a single lot. Hopefully at least one will rise from the Welsh undergrowth.
TICKFORD SET FOR OPEN SEASON
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