Following this message, I received an e-mail from Biota-fan Peter Niessen. He wrote: "Hi Jeroen, I just read your interesting blog about the first Biota with registration YWT 65G that appeared on the RAI motor show (amongst others). This was the first GRP-bodied production model that had several colours during its various presentation stages (to act as if multiple numbers were produced already). I know that this car wears chassis number HC 1969-1-1.
However! An earlier aluminium-bodied prototype does exist as well. This car has no chassis number and the owner claims the same registration number as the first GRP production model with chassis number one. It appears that this alloy prototype was used to create the moulds of the GRP production line, including chassis number 1! The story even goes that two alloy-bodied prototypes were made before the GRP production series started. It’s not clear which of the two prototypes this one is.
Apparently there is some debate about the registration number, but the owner of the GRP-bodied car let me know he has all the formal papers (which implies the Biota alloy prototype has no road license). I had contact with the owner of the aluminium car quite some years ago when he sent me some pictures. This was all by snail mail as he is not computer-literate and does not use e-mail."
That's all very interesting. More to follow, no doubt.
![]()
![]()
![]()
However! An earlier aluminium-bodied prototype does exist as well. This car has no chassis number and the owner claims the same registration number as the first GRP production model with chassis number one. It appears that this alloy prototype was used to create the moulds of the GRP production line, including chassis number 1! The story even goes that two alloy-bodied prototypes were made before the GRP production series started. It’s not clear which of the two prototypes this one is.
Apparently there is some debate about the registration number, but the owner of the GRP-bodied car let me know he has all the formal papers (which implies the Biota alloy prototype has no road license). I had contact with the owner of the aluminium car quite some years ago when he sent me some pictures. This was all by snail mail as he is not computer-literate and does not use e-mail."
That's all very interesting. More to follow, no doubt.
Biota's first car - the aluminium bodied prototype. Or was it one of two?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
This is believed to be it. Alloy bodied and in the progress of a restoration
Picture courtesy biota.jouwweb.nl
Aluminium and bright green appear to be seen on this picture taken during restoration
Picture courtesy biota.jouwweb.nl
And there's this. The first GRP bodied car that was seen lately in aerodynamic testing photos
Picture Jeroen Booij
Although there is some debate about this, the registration 'YWT 65G' belongs to this car
Picture Jeroen Booij
It's complete and planned to be fully restored, too. These pictures dates back to 2011
Picture Jeroen Booij