Rex McCandless, race car builder

Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, April 86

 Rex McCandless, while consulting to Norton and designing the famous Featherbed frame, was busy on another project, this time on four wheels. It appeared at its first race in late 1951, pictured here with Laurie McGladery driving. Powered by a 500cc Manx Norton engine mounted in the nose, the box section spine frame also provided a mount for the countershaft with brake drums and transmission which then powered both front and rear wheels using chain drive. The machine was nearly unbeatable in the races it ran in Ireland. The car was fitted later with a more substantial body, pictured here. Below the Featherbed frame.