The POWDER BLUE CLUB

Johan Marais - South Africa - Derivative based on a 1958 TR3A chassis.
Triumph Davdon Drophead Speedster
Commission No. TS 25635

We regret to advise that Johan Marais was killed in a home burglary on the 12th August 2017.

His close friend Brian Minnaar advises: "He was a well respected member of the community, a passionate Chairman of our Classic Car Club and above all else a devoted family man. He will be missed. I often still find myself about to phone him to share something or to just have a chat."

It is expected that the car will be advertised for sale on our website in the near future.
The sale will form part of his families future financial support.

Johan with his pride and joy!

The original design was conceived in 1947 by David Loudon, who designed and handbuilt the car in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Loudon was a skilled man with numerous inventions under his belt.

The car was owned and driven by David Loudon in Johannesburg until 1975. During 1958 the original chassis (from an Austin 7) had been replaced with a Triumph TR3A shortened chassis (4 1/2") and mechanicals.

The body is a one-off, hand formed in metal and the seams white lead filled. It features a hardtop which folds away into the boot and electric windows. The original design was influenced by the Jaguar XK120 and the Ferrari Barchetta. Johan has the original sketches (some shown below) and handtools David Loudon used to fabricate the "Davdon". David passed away in 2003.

For current owner Johan Marais it was a lucky barnfind in Riviersonderent, Western Province on 21 Dec 2012. Johan commenced restoration of this interesting TR derivative - the only one in the world.

Some video footage of the restored car is shown HERE (soundtrack is in Dutch)

Also see the first START-UP run of the TR engine (with the late Keith Marsh tuning the SUs).