Buckle Sports Coupe
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = File:1956 Buckle GT coupe (6102421761).jpg
| name = Buckle Sports Coupe
|manufacturer = Buckle Motors
| aka = Buckle Coupe
| production = 1957-1959
20 produced [http://www.carpartsandmore.com.au/buckle/index.html Buckle Coupe Home Page, www.carpartsandmore.com.au] Retrieved on 19 January 2012
| assembly = Punchbowl, New South Wales
| body_style = 2-door coupe
| class = Sports car (S)
| layout = FR
| engine = {{convert|2553|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} Ford Zephyr straight-6
| weight = 865kg
}}
The Buckle Sports Coupe is a fibreglass-bodied sports car which was produced in Australia by Buckle Motors from 1957 to 1959 . The 2-door coupe used a combination of Ford Zephyr Six and Ford Zephyr Mark II components, including a straight-6 engine from the Mark II.{{cite web|title=BUCKLE MOTORS|url=http://www.carpartsandmore.com.au/buckle/BuckleMotors01.htm|publisher=Car Parts and More|accessdate=7 February 2012}}{{cite web|title=1958 Goggomobil DART|url=http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/goggo-dart.html|publisher=The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum|accessdate=7 February 2012}} Thanks to its fibreglass body, it had a relatively light weight of 865 kg and a top speed of 160 km/h. It also featured a box chassis frame, transverse leaf spring front suspension and a conventional Ford rear axle.Peter Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 69
A total of twenty Buckles were produced, including two incomplete examples sold for racing purposes. Bill Buckle, the person behind the creation of the car, would go on to a successful business venture building Goggomobil cars in Australia, the highpoint of which was the production of the Australian designed Goggomobil Dart.Peter Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 75
Motorsport
The Buckle performed well in hillclimb events and circuit races and held many records.{{cite web|last=Hepworth|first=Kevin|title=My Buckle GT Tourer|url=http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-news/my_buckle_gt_tourer|publisher=CarsGuide.com.au|accessdate=7 February 2012|date=2009-11-20}} Sixteen of the twenty Buckles built competed in motor sport,[http://www.carpartsandmore.com.au/buckle/racing01.htm Buckle Coupe - Racing History, www.carpartsandmore.com.au] Retrieved on 19 January 2012 a highlight being Dick Newell's victory in the 1963 New South Wales GT Championship.[http://www.carpartsandmore.com.au/buckle/racing02.htm Buckle Coupe Racing History - Circuit & Road Racing, www.carpartsandmore.com.au] Retrieved on 19 January 2012
A special Buckle (Body#93-883) was built specifically for racing purposes and was raced by Bill Buckle himself circa 1960–1961.[http://www.carpartsandmore.com.au/buckle/car19.htm Buckle Coupe Body#93-883, www.carpartsandmore.com.au] Retrieved on 19 January 2012 It featured a lightweight body moulded around a tubular chassis, a Raymond Mays-developed cylinder head and three SU carburetors.
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Gallery
File:Buckle 25 Prototype 1955 blue vl TCE.jpg|1955 prototype.
File:Buckle GT Lightweight of John Ashwell.JPG|Buckle GT Lightweight of John Ashwell, pictured in 2012. This car was raced by Bill Buckle himself circa 1960–1961.
File:1959 Buckle Sports Coupe (20542609951).jpg|Rear view.
File:1958 Buckle Sports coupes (24758222139).jpg|A pair of Buckle Coupes at a car show.