Lost Legend - The world of custom car building is filled with hidden gems—unique, handcrafted machines built not for mass production, but for passion. One such rarity is Warp 8, a vehicle that emerged from the creative mind of Owen Williams, an art teacher from Wales in the early 1970s. Unlike mainstream sports cars, this was not a product of an established automaker but a labor of love, designed and built in a home garage with sheer dedication.
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| The Warp 8, a unique creation by Owen Williams, an art teacher from Wales, first took shape in the early 1970s. (Picture from: Paul Bull's posting on Facebook) |
Warp 8 was constructed on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis, modified with a box-frame and outriggers to support its sharp-edged fiberglass body. Power came from a 1600cc air-cooled four-cylinder engine, a simple yet reliable choice for a lightweight custom car. Williams never intended for it to be a commercial project, though at some point, there might have been consideration for kit or component car production. However, only two units were ever built, making Warp 8 an exceptionally rare piece of automotive history.
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| The Warp 8 was built on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis, enhanced with a box-frame and outriggers to support its angular fiberglass body. (Picture from: Paul Bull's posting on Facebook) |
The story of its creation is as unusual as the car itself. The first body mold didn’t set properly, leaving large portions of the gel coat missing. Instead of abandoning the project, Williams cast a second body, which became the final version of Warp 8. Interestingly, the defective first body was not discarded—it was later used to build a second car. The origins of this second build remain somewhat mysterious. There are photos of both cars together, and though the builder of the second unit remains unknown, the vehicle itself remained unfinished for over 35 years.
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| The Warp 8 was powered by a 1600cc air-cooled four-cylinder engine, a simple yet reliable choice for a lightweight custom car. (Picture from: Paul Bull's posting on Facebook) |
In 2008, efforts began to restore the second Warp 8. However, it was far from an easy task. The car had been sitting incomplete for decades, and bringing it back to life required extensive work. The restoration process faced numerous setbacks, and at times, it seemed impossible to complete. Yet, the rarity of Warp 8 meant that giving up was never an option. By 2015, the partially restored vehicle was passed to a new owner in Germany, who took on the responsibility of completing the rebuild.
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| One of only two Warp 8s ever built, featuring a Lamborghini-like shape with gull-wing doors, is being rebuilt by Mark Jenkins and Andrew Hopes after years of being unfinished. (Picture from: SouthwalesArgus) |
Despite its obscurity, Warp 8 is a testament to the creativity and determination of independent car builders. It may not have the recognition of mass-produced classics, but for those who appreciate the artistry of custom cars, it stands as a symbol of perseverance. Whether the last remaining Warp 8 will ever hit the road again remains uncertain, but its story has cemented its place in automotive history as a truly one-of-a-kind creation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PAUL BULL'S POSTING ON FACEBOOK | RODSNODS | SOUTHWALESARGUS ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
