Kestrel Scorpion (1, 1985)

This car has nothing to do with Tom Killeen.

There was an attempt in 1985 to build a larger engined Scorpion. This was by Peter Sylvester of Dovetail Plastics, Unit 47, Membury Airfield, Lambourne Woodlands, Berkshire; later became Kestrel Cars of Unit 11, Storforth Lane Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 0QZ. The car had an Alfa Sud engine mid mounted with specially modified rear suspension but Ford Cortina front suspension. Contemporary publicity announced that Lotus had been involved in the re-design, but this has not been confirmed. It is probably true to say that the project was a complete failure.

The kit was offered for sale at £1695 plus VAT which included a basic chassis with rear suspension and shock absorbers, brake and clutch pipes and roll bar fitted. It was also intended to include the GRP body, engine cover, doors and front and rear screens. Options included alternative trim, seats, steering wheel, road wheels, tyres, lights and locks.

This car was seen a few times in magazines (e.g. the 1985 Complete Kit Car Guide) but was never completed, having neither pop up headlamps nor doors fitted. It was exhibited on stand C36 at the Belle Vue show, Manchester, May 1985. The only eye witness we found said that the only car to be produced was very poorly built and was probably not roadworthy. Its current whereabouts are unknown and it is fairly certain that none of these later cars were ever sold.