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| Production | 1971–1973 315 produced more produced after tooling etc sold |
|---|---|
| Sports car | |
| 2-door sports coupé | |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Engine(s) | 875 cc Straight-4 Overhead camshaft (Hillman Imp) |
| Wheelbase | 82.25 in (2,089 mm) |
| Length | 150 in (3,800 mm) |
| Width | 59 in (1,500 mm) |
| Height | 42.75 in (1,086 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 27.5 L (7.3 US gal; 6.0 imp gal)[1] |
The Clan Crusader was a fibreglass monocoque British sports car based on running gear from the Hillman Imp Sport, including its Coventry Climax derived rear mounted 875 cc engine. It was first made in Washington, Co Durham, England, between 1971 and 1974, but since then several efforts have been made to bring the car back to production. It seems as of March 2009 the Clan name is being resurrected by Martin Phaff of previous Ginetta fame. A prototype is due in May 2009.
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Clan Crusader
The car was designed by a group of ex-Lotus engineers led by Paul Haussauer with styling by John Frayling. The company was set up in 1969, and production started (at a new factory in Washington set up with the aid of a government grant) in 1971. The car was available in either kit of fully built versions. Although the car received good reviews and achieved some competition success, it was expensive at £1400 when compared with rivals. The company shut down in November 1973. Total production in this first phase was 315.
After closure the body moulds were bought by Andreas Kaisis , a businessman from Cyprus and owner of the Kaisis Motor Company. A mysterious time in the car's history started with disputes over ownership and replica body shells being made by copying an existing car. In 1982 the original moulds returned to the UK and experimental vehicles were made using various engines.
'Irish' Clan
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. Contemporary advertisements give an amazing price range of from £1,200 for a basic kit to £10,000 for a complete road ready car with new engine. The car, with a 998 cc Imp engine, was improved with disc brakes (from the MGB). Other differences were its pop-up lights, heavier bumpers, 13 inch wheels and a dashboard from the Ford Fiesta. The Crusader name was not used for these cars. After Clan cars closed the body moulds were purchased by members of the Clan Owner's Club to use to make replacement panels.
Clan Clover
In 1985 Clan Cars developed a new, mid-engined version called the Clan Clover. It used an 1500 cc Alfa Romeo Flat-4 engine and gearbox. It is believed that approximately 26 cars were made. Clan Cars ran into financial difficulties and went into receivership and ceased trading in 1987.
McCoy
The McCoy was a Mini-based version of the Clan, made in 1984 by Arthur Birchall, one of the original company founders. The car used a Mini engine and was front-wheel-drive.
Clan Club
As of 2008 the Clan Club is active, and through its long-standing members Dave Excell and Dave Weedon one can purchase any body panel or even a complete new bodyshell.
Sources and further reading
- ^ Daily Express Motor Show Review 1974 Cars: Page 14 (Clan Crusader). October 1973.
External links
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