John Brazier of Bristol, builder of Hustler 6 in Wood Q312 RAE
John was Technical Contributor to almost every issue of the original Hustler Club Newsletter
Like many early adopters he epitomised the skills inherent in Hustler builders. A craftsman with an engineering background gained in Rolls Royce (Concorde) and later skills as a woodwork and metalwork craft teacher in Brislington Comprehensive
John built both a 1/10 scale model and a road-going wooden monocoque complete with wooden body panels and interior. He personalised his Hustler with wooden centre caps with ‘H’ inlays, wooden handbrake ferrule and gear knob together with a completely wooden ‘quartic’ steering wheel. All 1000 screws hand driven
His car was built on three Mini subframes and 1.3 Allegro running gear.
In its 13 years on the roads all over the UK it never failed an MOT (surviving unscathed from a minor RTA which left the steel bodied van which hit it rather more worse for wear. John simply steam-ironed out the dents in the wooden body)
Built by over three years and finished in 1988 for an investment in hardware alone in today’s equivalent of £8000.00 – Hours beyond counting.
Q312 RAE is a credit to John, one of the quintessential wooden Hustler Builders
September 2023 – End of an Era