Author: Richard Heseltine
Photography: Manufacturers
The British kit car industry thrived in the 80s – here are some of our favourites.
Marcos Mantula
Marque co-founder Jem Marsh revived Marcos in 1981 and introduced the Mantula two years later. This handsome GT married the Dennis Adams-penned outline of old with V8 muscle, the open Spyder variant coming online in 1985. Independent rear suspension was a significant development later that decade. The Type Approved Mantara replaced the Mantula in 1992 as the marque chased the big time (again).
Did you know? A Kevlar-bodied Mantula, the race-orientated HP, was also made but it remained a one-off.
GTM Coupé
The original Grand Touring Mini was conceived by Box Cox and Jack Hosker in 1966. It enjoyed commercial success under Howard Heerey from 1968 with around 170 cars being made to 1971. Subsequent keepers flew below the radar, though, until the marque was revived by Paddy Fitch and Peter Beck in 1980. They refined the concept, instigating the move from 10in to 13in wheels which made a pretty car even prettier. The GTM Coupé became a hit all over again.
Did you know? Around 500 Mini-based GTMs were made under various regimes.
Midas Bronze
The capable Midas was conceived by former Jaguar man Harold Dermott of D&H Fibreglass Technologies. The brains trust behind it included artiste Richard Oakes and former Team Lotus alumnus, Arthur Birchall. The first Midas (the Bronze tag came later) was delivered in August 1979 with sales surging into the hundreds during the 1980s. It was one of few kits of the period to enjoy mainstream acceptance.
Did you know? Design legend Gordon Murray was an early adopter. His car ultimately appeared with a mid-mounted Alfa Romeo ‘boxer’ engine.
UVA Fugitive 33 Can-Am
One of the first ‘exoskeleton’ sports cars, this Rover V8-engined UVA projectile arrived in 1986 amid much hoopla in the specialist press. The demonstrator was clocked at 148mph in period, and one was raced with winning effect by Bob Light. Its maker, the Unique Vehicles & Accessory Company, was seemingly everywhere during the 1980s but it encountered some significant obstacles come the dawn of the ’90s.
Did you know? An even skimpier version, the F30, preceded the F33. It had cycle-style front wings and fixed headlights.
NG TC
NG was once famed for its 1930s-style kit cars. The marque was not named for affinity reasons, either, its closeness to MG being for no other reason than the man behind it was Nick Green. The TC arrived in late 1981 and employed MGB running gear with the option of Rover V8 power. As many as 100 were sold in 1982 alone.
Did you know? Former Morgan and TVR ace Chris Alford campaigned the works TCR competition variant in 1985.
Ram SC
Umpteen Cobra clones came to market during the 1980s, arguably the most grown-up being the Ram SC produced by LR Roadsters. The car’s standout feature was its hybrid backbone-cum-spaceframe chassis that was designed by racing great, Adrian Reynard (pictured). Cocking continued to garner success during the 1990s, not least by supplying lightweight SEC variants of his faux Cobra for the French one-make Bardahl Trophy race series.
Did you know? LR Roadsters was one of few replica outfits ever to receive official blessing from Cobra instigator, Carroll Shelby.
Rickman Ranger
The Rickman brothers, Derek and Don, were well-known for their own-brand motorcycles and accessories. They unexpectedly moved into the kit car arena in 1986 with this Ford Escort-based soft-roader, the Ranger proving a huge hit. It spawned an open-top version a year later, subsequent permutations including a camper van.
Did you know? The siblings sold their business in early 1991. Its new keepers came unstuck before the year was out.
Ronart
Former RAF man Arthur Wolstenholme launched the Ronart Alicat in late 1985, with the prototype being up and running by the end of the following year. The Jaguar XJ-based roadster was subsequently renamed W152, with production continuing well into the 2000s. Subsequent variations on the theme appeared under the once-famed Vanwall banner.
Did you know? Ronart was a contraction of Rona (Wolstenholme’s wife’s name) and Arthur.
Ginetta G26
Better known for its stark but pretty sport cars, Ginetta reinvented itself as a maker of more practical fare with the G26. Launched in 1984, this Cortina-based offering also employed Ford Fiesta doors. More than 100 were sold in the first twelve months, with three distinct body style/engine configurations following in time with different numerical designations.
Did you know? In addition to the running gear, the G26 also harvested the donor Cortina’s dashboard and windscreen.
Domino Pimlico
Introduced in early 1986, the Domino Pimlico represented a novel twist on the classic Mini. The car was conceived by glassfibre expert John Ingram, and designed by Richard Oakes, its sparse form not stretching to doors or a boot-lid. Umpteen versions were spun-off thereafter, although none were styled by Oakes.
Did you know? Domino Cars initially operated from an old chicken farm near Southampton.
What’s your favourite Kit Car? Let us know in the comments below.
These are a bunch of smart ones. Thanks for the reminder of what had become obscure.
Citroen 2cv based Lomax three or four wheeler, cheap to buy easy to build and a lot of fun,
One of the positive side-effects of the era of mechanically sound cars which rotted away after 10 years or less! As a favourite how about the Imp-based Clan Crusader? They even ran a works rally team!
My Uncle had a Dutton Sierra (before Ford pinched the name) and a Dutton Melos aka The Greased Weasel…. I liked both and toyed with the idea of a Sierra a few years later.
The Clan was a proper production piece, not a kit car in its true sense. It had a very brief run from s factory in my home County of Durham, our one and only ever car maker. I was really proud of that as a kid! It was all to take advantage of regional development grants. Years later I found out ex-Lotus alumni founders lived not far from me!
Definitely some of the best here, there were some stinkers, like just yesterday there was a “name this car” kind of thread on Reddit with some ungainly tube shaped thing. The first name that popped into my head was Ronart; I donrhink they would be impressed with my muddled memory, it was in fact the hideous Moss Monaco! But yes in amongst some dross were some incredible accomplishments from tiny groups or individuals. The Pimlico was a standout in its first two tone form, as was the Minari which pre-empted the MX5 by years and looked even better in 2nd gen form. Who would have guessed the 80s was the last gasp of motoring freedom and DIY fun before soul crushing over regulation crept in? Not to mention peoples rapidly increasing demands for creature comforts and dreary conformity. There should be more positive press about the kit car boom and less mockery.