(Figures in parentheses refer to my car).

Production

UK 1968-1971 : 883 units

Australia 1970-1972 : ? units built from UK CKD kits

Bodyshell

“Type 49” heavy-duty competition shell with flared front fenders, front suspension reinforcement plates, partially double skinned chassis rails, upper radiator shroud, stone deflector [look under the trunk!]

Weight

1820lb !! [No added-lightness, no fiberglass or alloy either – just a small, strong steel unibody shell!]

Engine

Model: Lotus/Ford “Twin Cam”

Configuration: inline four cylinder, DOHC 8 valve

Construction: iron block, aluminium alloy cylinder head

Capacity: 1558cc (~1700cc “tall block”)

Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

Horsepower: 115 BHP @ 6,000 RPM (~125 BHP)

Torque:  116.5 lb/ft. @ 4500 RPM

Carburetori: two Weber 40DCOE Tipo 18

Gearbox

Ford Type 3 “Medium” series four speed with “semi close” ratios [a.k.a “2000E three rail”]

1^st:           2.972

2^nd:          2.010

3^rd:           1.397

4^th:           1.0

Reverse: 3.324

Rear Axle

Ratio: 3.77:1 (3.9:1 LSD) [Limited slip diff was one of many rally options.]

Suspension and Steering

Steering: Rack and pinion, 3 turns lock to lock

Front: MacPherson strut (Bilstein), coil spring, control arms located by anti-roll bar

Rear: semi-elliptic leaf springs, telescoping shock absorbers, radius arms [Type 49 shell feature]

Brakes

Front: 9.625” disc with Girling 16P (M16) calipers

Rear: drum 9” x 1¾” drum

Wheels/Tires

13” x 5½” JJ steel rims with 165 SR13 radials

(13” x 6” Minilite “heat treated” with Yokohama AVS Intermediate 205/60 13 radials).

Performance

0-60 MPH: 8.5 secs

Max speed in gears:

1^st : 38 MPH
2^nd : 58 MPH
3^rd : 85 MPH
4^th : 113 MPH.

Price

New: UK £1162, Australia $3500

Driving One Today

Priceless.