The building of Chitty has been a fantastic challenge involving plenty of time and money.

To build an exact replica has its own problems from copyrights through to D.V.L.A. approval, so to overcome these issues we chose a car that could be adapted. Finding a car built on a chassis in todays market is very hard, therefore we used a 1973 series three Landrover. Once we found the correct model we stripped it down, keeping only the engine and chassis.

After learning to weld, I designed a frame that would support a metal bonnet and wooden body and then borrowed steel rollers to bend the panels, and spent endless days at Beaulie Auto Jumble looking for period parts.

The wood for the boat frame came from Claire Lallows boat builders in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and the steel came from a small metal supplier called Newport Steel.

I found it hard, but nevertheless achieved the tracking down of brass and with the help of the guys at Sandown Airport who rebuild Spitfire aeroplanes I was able to make the brass grille. The brass fuel tank was found at an auto jumble but when tested, it leaked, so help was once again sought from the Simms & Leppard welding company who put it right.

With thanks to:

My wife for all the cups of tea supplied!
Sandown Airport
Simms & Leppard
Graham Potter Bonchurch
Newport Steel
Noggins
Scott Matthews technical advice
Richard Smith
Beaulie Auto Jumble