Quiet Radicalism - The history of British sports cars is often told through famous badges and mass-produced legends, but some of its most interesting stories live quietly on the margins. During the 1970s, a time when creativity frequently outpaced financial stability, small manufacturers explored radical ideas with limited resources. One such idea became
the Concept Centaur GT, a compact, striking kit car that embodied the experimental spirit of its era while remaining largely unknown outside enthusiast circles.
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| The 1974 Concept Centaur GT, a compact, striking kit car that embodied the experimental spirit of its era while remaining largely unknown outside enthusiast circles.. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
The Concept Centaur GT entered the market between 1974 and 1977,
developed by Concept Cars Ltd. in Northampton,
with construction beginning a year earlier.
It relied on the Hillman Imp platform,
a sensible choice for a lightweight sports car project.
Production numbers were never high;
estimates suggest somewhere between 26 and 52 kits were produced,
depending on whether closely related projects are included. This low output was typical of British kit cars at the time, but it also ensured
the Centaur would become a rare sight almost immediately.
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| The 1974 Concept Centaur GT's structure combined glass-reinforced plastic and plywood in a monocoque form, strengthened by box-section profiles and tubular steel.. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
What truly set
the Centaur GT apart was its extraordinary body design.
At just 94 centimeters tall,
it ranked among the lowest cars ever built for the road.
Its structure combined glass-reinforced plastic and plywood in a monocoque form,
strengthened by box-section profiles and tubular steel. This unusual construction delivered rigidity and safety while keeping weight down, demonstrating a level of engineering ambition that exceeded expectations for a small-scale kit car.
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| The 1974 Concept Centaur GT’s shape did not appear out of thin air. Its styling traced back to an experimental design exercise by the Adams brothers known as the Probe. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
The Centaur’s shape did not appear out of thin air. Its styling traced back to an experimental design exercise by
the Adams brothers known as
the Probe. Rather than letting the concept fade, they passed it on to
Peter Timpson of Concept Cars, who recognized its potential.
In 1970,
Timpson acquired the second Probe 15 bodyshell and reworked it extensively,
widening the body and increasing its height to 37 inches to make it more practical without losing its futuristic character.
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| The
Concept Centaur Mk2 was developed in 1978 as a larger 2+2 version of
the original car, created to expand the concept beyond its initial
two-seat configuration. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
Functionality played a larger role than
the Centaur’s dramatic looks might suggest.
It was designed as a rear-engined,
two-seat sports car with an integral roll structure,
a large laminated flat windscreen,
and cleverly arranged storage.
Luggage space sat behind the seats,
while a front boot housed the fuel tank.
Perspex side windows doubled as doors,
hinged at the front for entry and offering wide-angle visibility. A removable rear deck allowed easy access to the engine, reflecting a thoughtful approach to maintenance and usability.
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| The
Concept Centaur Mk2 featured a sophisticated multi-tubular chassis
designed by Frank Costin, incorporating a de Dion rear suspension layout. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
Inside,
the Centaur GT was far from spartan.
The cabin featured a leather-covered aluminium steering wheel,
a full set of instruments and switches,
carpeting,
and upholstery throughout.
The gearstick and handbrake were mounted between the seats,
and essential systems such as wiring,
hydraulics,
wipers,
washers,
lighting,
heating,
and ventilation were all included.
Buyers could specify any manufacturer’s paint color,
while major mechanical components like the engine,
transaxle,
suspension,
wheels,
and tyres were sourced separately,
consistent with kit-car traditions of the time.
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| The Concept Centaur Mk2 featured a mid-mounted Leyland Maxi 2.2-liter engine as a key element of its redesigned performance layout. (Picture from: Imps4ever.info) |
The Centaur story briefly extended beyond the original GT.
In 1978, a
larger 2+2 version known as the Centaur Mk2 was developed,
featuring a mid-mounted Leyland Maxi 2.2-liter engine and a sophisticated multi-tubular chassis designed by Frank Costin with de Dion rear suspension. Although its fiberglass body clearly echoed
the original Centaur, the project eventually evolved into
the Mirage Pulsar,
while only one larger Centaur-related car,
the Timera, was completed.
Seen today,
the Concept Centaur GT stands as a reminder of a fearless moment in British automotive history, when innovation thrived not in factories of scale, but in small workshops driven by imagination and resolve.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICCARS.FANDOM | SLATFORD.CO.UK | IMPS4EVER.INFO | KFZ-BETRIEB.VOGEL | WIKIPEDIA | CARSEX MAGAZINE IN TUMBLR ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
