Fairthorpe TX-GT: The Rare British Sports Car That Stood Out in the 1960s

Bold Rarity - Sometimes, the most fascinating chapters in automotive history are not written by giant corporations with limitless budgets, but by small workshops where passion mattered more than production numbers. In the late 1960s, one such workshop in England produced a car that remains a curiosity today—a car that wasn’t meant to conquer sales charts but instead to capture the imagination of drivers looking for something truly different. That car was the Fairthorpe TX-GT.

The Fairthorpe TX-GT embodied Torix Bennett’s vision to push the spirit of the British sports car into a bolder, more innovative direction. (Picture from: CarsThatNeverMadeItEtc)

Fairthorpe was never a household name, and perhaps that’s exactly what makes it so interesting now. Founded by Air Vice Marshal Donald Bennett, the company specialized in building niche cars with character, often in tiny quantities. The TX-GT, however, was the vision of Donald’s son, Torix Bennett, who sought to take the spirit of British sports cars into a slightly bolder, more innovative direction. First appearing around 1967, the TX-GT showed off his ambition to design something distinctive while keeping the engineering practical and accessible.

The Fairthorpe TX-GT combined the sleek look of a fiberglass fastback two-seat coupe with a Triumph GT6 chassis and Torix Bennett’s patented transverse rod independent rear suspension that set it apart from its rivals. (Picture from: Pinterest)

At first glance, the TX-GT looked like a sleek two-seat coupe with its fiberglass fastback body, but beneath the skin it carried clever ideas. Built on the solid underpinnings of a Triumph GT6 chassis, the car featured Torix Bennett’s own patented transverse rod independent rear suspension—a setup that marked it apart from many of its rivals. Power came from Triumph’s straight-six engine, starting with a 1998 cc unit producing about 95 horsepower, and later evolving into a 1969 Mark 2 with overdrive that nudged performance to roughly 105 horsepower.

The Fairthorpe TX-S was the follow-up model that pushed boundaries with engines reaching up to 2498 cc. (Picture from: Pinterest)

Fairthorpe didn’t stop there. The follow-up models, known as the TX-S and the TX-SS, pushed the boundaries further with engines up to 2,498 cc and even fuel injection for the higher-spec SS variant. All versions used a four-speed manual gearbox, with overdrive available for those who wanted an extra edge. The car’s dimensions were compact—just over 132 inches long, 60 inches wide, and under four feet tall—making it light on its feet and fun to drive without needing huge horsepower figures. The fiberglass body wasn’t just for looks either; being bolted on made repairs and modifications far simpler compared to metal-bodied cars.

All versions, including the Fairthorpe TX-S, featured a fiberglass body that was not just for looks, as its bolted design made repairs and modifications far easier than on metal-bodied cars. (Picture from: Pinterest)

And yet, the TX-GT was never a mass-market machine. Between 1967 and 1976, only around 30 to 50 examples were ever built, depending on which source you believe. This scarcity was partly due to the size of the company and partly by design—it was intended for enthusiasts who wanted individuality, not conformity. Those who drove one back in the day described the experience as quintessentially British: the straight-six engine delivered smooth, satisfying power, the suspension kept things lively, and the snug cabin ensured driver and passenger became very well acquainted. Taller drivers, of course, might have struggled to fit without folding themselves in like luggage.

The Fairthorpe TX-SS not only featured a more powerful engine but was also enhanced with fuel injection, giving it a sharper edge in performance. (Picture from: 60Star in Flickr)

Today, spotting a Fairthorpe TX-GT—or its rarer TX-S and TX-SS siblings—is a treat for classic car lovers. Their handmade feel, their unusual engineering touches, and their limited production make them gems of automotive history. They embody the spirit of a time when someone with determination and vision could take a proven Triumph chassis, pair it with a lightweight fiberglass body, and create something entirely their own. | k8dxtGowhso | dvZLx4c6Q2I |

The TX-GT may never have been destined for mainstream success, but perhaps that was the point all along. Its rarity, charm, and boldness make it more than just another forgotten car from the 1960s—it’s a reminder that innovation often comes from those willing to go against the grain, even if only a handful of people ever get to experience the result. And in that sense, the Fairthorpe TX-GT continues to do exactly what it was built for: standing out. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICANDSPORTSCAR | AUTOMOBILE-CATALOG | STILLMOTORING | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | PINTEREST | 60STAR IN FLICKR ]

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