"The quality of the GRP materials had greatly improved over the years and small boat production was our mainstay occupation.
However, the BMC ‘Mini’ was now well established and a very popular car. A sports car based on the Mini seemed worth considering and a design was evolved but using the longer Minivan wheelbase.
The entire body shell was moulded in GRP and as many of the original Mini fittings and components utilised, but with the addition of a raised central floor tunnel to give longitudinal stiffness. A light steel tube frame was bonded internally to connect all the important stress points, termed the ‘bird cage’, the overall appearance reasonably attractive with a rear ‘spoiler’ and the road handling was superb.
The prototype car was exhibited at the London Racing Car Show and this was a great opportunity to meet some of the most prominent designers and builders in the racing a sports car field, at least one of whom subsequently produced a car using virtually the same technology."
Cyril Cannell 2006 |