There are days when I don't think about the BAL Salamander but today wasn't one of those. I came across pictures of the beautifully made Mini derivative and wondered where it would be today?
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The car, styled in some kind of vintage roadster, is a real piece of art. And with the engine of a 1960 Mini 1000 below its boat tail, the BAL Salamander manages to hide its Mini base well. But remove the pointed back to reveal the Mini engine in a Mini subframe with disc brakes driving the rear wheels. The car's narrow steel tube frame originated from a grass track racer, but clothed with a full aluminum new body. The filler cap on the boat tail was for the water. Wheels were 2CV sourced.
I understand that BAL stood for the builder's initials but I don't know who he is or was. The car was registered Q272 EPV in 1990 and supposedly kept by its builder since 2012 when it was sold. The last trace of it goes back to February 2013 when it offered for sale in Aachen, Germany. Is it still there..?
Alloy boat tail body, 2CV wheels - would you believe this to be a Mini variant?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
But that's what the BAL Salamander is, made in the UK by a man whose initials were B.A.L.
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Registered Q272EPV in 1990 it was supposedly kept by its creator for 22 years
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Remove the whole back to reveal the chassis plus Mini engine in its Mini subframe
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
The engine is said to be a 1000, while frame is said to be grass track racer sourced
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Narrow cockpit seats two on a cosy little bench - only just! Where is it now?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive