Clan Crusader (1971-74) Engine 998cc S4 SOHC (Hillman Imp)
Production 315 (+ a few more after tooling was sold)
Registration Number XNP 811 M (Worcestershire)
CLAN ALBUM
www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157626907799249
The Clan Crusader is a fibreglass monocoque British sports car based on running gear from the Hillman Imp Sport. It was first produced in Washington, Co. Durham 1971-74but since then several efforts have been made to bring the car back to production.
The car was designed by a group of ex-Lotus engineers led by Paul Haussauer with styling by John Frayling. Small scale production began in July 1971 moving into full stream in September when the Washington factory was fully tooled. The lightweight monocoaue was dreated by Brian Luff one of the original team behing the Lotus 72 Formula One car Aside from the engine, front and rear suspensions were also lifted from the donor Imp.
The car was available in either kit or fully built form. With the 51bhp Imp Sport engine and four-speed manual transmission, top speed was 99 mph and the car was well recieved by Motoring Press, sales were hampered by its cost, at £ 1,400 fullly built or £ 1,123 as a kit. Sales were also hit by the fuel crisis, the imposition of VAT on the kit supplied cars and strikes at Chrysler affecting component supplies, the factory closed in November 1973, after 315 Crusaders had been built, although a number were later finished from incomplete cars sold by the receivers.
After closure the moulds were bought by Andreas Kaisis, a businessman from Cyprus and owner of the Kaisis Motor Company, but just before production was about to commence Turkey invaded Cyprus and production was put on hold. The moulds remained under cover until brought back to Britain a few years later. Meanwhile, about a dozen or so replica body shells made by copying an existing car were sold by Brian Luff. In 1982, Clan-fan Peter McCandless bought these moulds and intended to revive the car, there then followed a period of litigation between designer - company founder Paul Haussauer who had similar ideas. In 1982 some "unofficial" body moulds were bought by Peter McCandless who started a new company Clan Cars Ltd in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, and built about 120 road cars and 10 competition cars over the next four years, though the Crusader name could not be used for legal reasons, The car was available in two specifications, Clan E and Clan S.
Diolch am 79,978,069 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.
Thanks for 79,978,069 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated.
Shot 05.01.2020.at Bicester Heritage Centre, Bicester, Oxon 144-663
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