Hi Chris (and everyone else on the forum):
While I have been registered on the forum for over a year and a half, my contributions have been few, but I still try to keep up-to-date on all the postings.
For obvious reasons (as the owner of AM-2) I have read of Chris' discovery with great interest. I look forward to hearing more of the story and I hope that Chris will share more of it in the future.
I don't mean in any way to lessen the importance of Chris' discovery, but I wonder how this body was identified as being from AM-2. While some things about the front clip and doors suggest that they came from AM-2, I'm not totally convinced as yet. The rear clip, on the other hand has little to suggest that it was ever on AM-2. To my un-trained eye, and working only by the photos that Chris posted, it appears to be an uncompleted piece. Notably absent are the distinctive side scoops and "MkII-esque" snorkel scoops on the rear deck as well as the opening for the louvered panel behind the rear window. All of these features are visible on period photos of both AM-1 and AM-2. I understand that the side and rear scoops were riveted on to the bodywork, and could have been removed, but I can see no evidence of the rivet holes or the larger hole for the air intake on the photos that Chris posted, nor can I see any sign that the spot for the louvered panel behind the rear window was "closed". Perhaps these repairs were just not visible in the photos. Finally, working from memory as I am at work and not near a car, I think the depressions for the tail lights should have an additional rather large center hole. The two holes to accept the mounting studs are visible, but not a larger hole to provide clearance for the tail light housing and to allow the wires to pass through. Again, I am working from memory and could be wrong.
Although I have no specific knowledge, I don't question that it is a "period" piece, but I have great doubt that the rear clip (at least) ever saw service on AM-2. I have an open mind on the subject, but the items mentioned would have to be answered to convince me. Soon after I bought AM-2 in 1985, I talked to a gentleman in the US who said that he could provide an "original" aluminum body for my car. It was unclear whether it was AM-2's original, or another. I declined at the time as I was still facing paying for the car. I have no idea if this is the same body Chris found or if another exists. Although the seller was from the US, I don't know if the body was here or somewhere else. Although only two aluminum bodied cars were completed, I wonder if more than two bodies were constructed? Perhaps there is still another one (or two?) to be found.
Looking forward to learning more, and with best regards..
Jack Launtz
