Eagle Cars: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Det gule lyn.jpg|thumb|Late version with different headlights]] As with so many of its kit car brethren, the dramatic bodywork of the Eagle SS hid humble [[VW Beetle]] underpinnings. The bodywork was from [[Glass-reinforced plastic|glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP)]], molded in a single colour. The total weight of a finished SS was promised to be around {{Convert|750|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, which meant performance was considerably improved over that of a standard Beetle. A top speed of {{Convert|200|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} with a tuned VW engine was also promised.<ref name="AK83">{{cite book | title = Auto Katalog 1983 | publisher = [[:de:Motor Presse Stuttgart|Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG]] | location = Stuttgart | page = 86 | year = 1982 }}</ref> The most obvious difference to the Cimbria, upon which the Eagle SS was based, was the Cimbria's flip-up headlights: Eagle chose to equip their version with round, rear-folding headlights in the style of the [[Porsche 928]].<ref name=Cimbria>{{Cite web | title = History Pages: The Cimbria and its derivatives (1975-mid '90s) | publisher = SterlingKitCars.com | url = http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/history_pages/cimbria/history_module_cm.html | accessdate = 2010-10-06 }}</ref> |
[[File:Det gule lyn.jpg|thumb|Late version with different headlights]] As with so many of its kit car brethren, the dramatic bodywork of the Eagle SS hid humble [[VW Beetle]] underpinnings. The bodywork was from [[Glass-reinforced plastic|glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP)]], molded in a single colour. The total weight of a finished SS was promised to be around {{Convert|750|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, which meant performance was considerably improved over that of a standard Beetle. A top speed of {{Convert|200|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} with a tuned VW engine was also promised.<ref name="AK83">{{cite book | title = Auto Katalog 1983 | publisher = [[:de:Motor Presse Stuttgart|Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG]] | location = Stuttgart | page = 86 | year = 1982 }}</ref> The most obvious difference to the Cimbria, upon which the Eagle SS was based, was the Cimbria's flip-up headlights: Eagle chose to equip their version with round, rear-folding headlights in the style of the [[Porsche 928]].<ref name=Cimbria>{{Cite web | title = History Pages: The Cimbria and its derivatives (1975-mid '90s) | publisher = SterlingKitCars.com | url = http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/history_pages/cimbria/history_module_cm.html | accessdate = 2010-10-06 }}</ref> |
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Three version were produced; |
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| ⚫ | |||
MkI, had a seperat internal roll cage, long nose low roof nad side windows hinged at teh front edge |
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MkII Has a shorter removable nose section, built in roll cage on later models and adtion of the Frod based model, side windows hinged fron front botton and top coerners and were longer at teh lower front. |
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MkII, Back to one peice nose, slightly higher roor, all had built in steel bars to the cabin area. Side windows as MkII. |
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| ⚫ | Chassis was an unshortened version at {{Convert|2400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, while the car was {{Convert|4240|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} long, {{Convert|1780|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide, and a mere {{Convert|1040|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} high. First mentioned in 1984, a targa-roofed 2+2-seater version called the '''2 Plus''' was also available, with only a slight weight penalty.<ref name="AK85">{{cite book | title = Auto Katalog 1985 | publisher = [[:de:Motor Presse Stuttgart|Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG]] | location = Stuttgart | page = 86 | year = 1984 }}</ref><ref name="BK89">{{cite book | title = BilKatalogen 1989 | publisher = PM Press AB | location = Stockholm, Sweden | pages = 234–235 | year = 1988 }} (Swedish issue of German Auto Katalog)</ref> |
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===Front-engined version=== |
===Front-engined version=== |
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Revision as of 09:58, 7 September 2011
Eagle Cars Limited was an English company, based in Lancing, West Sussex, originally operated by Allen Breeze, although it has undergone a number of ownership changes since.[1] Originally making a Jeep lookalike called the RV, between 1981 and 1998 they built several iterations of a gull-winged car called the Eagle SS. The SS was based on an American kit car called the Cimbria (itself based on the earlier Sterling, which in turn was a copy of the British Nova), and was brought to the UK by Tim Dutton (of Dutton Cars). In 1988 Eagle Cars moved inland, to nearby Storrington.[2]
Company History
Founded by Allen Breeze, the company was sold to trials motorcyclist Rob Budd in 1989. Eagle changed location again in the nineties, moving to Walberton (still in West Sussex).
The company officially ceased trading in 1998, but production had ended long before. The molds and rights to Eagle's various cars are currently in the hands of a variety of other companies.[1]
Eagle SS
As with so many of its kit car brethren, the dramatic bodywork of the Eagle SS hid humble VW Beetle underpinnings. The bodywork was from glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP), molded in a single colour. The total weight of a finished SS was promised to be around 750 kg (1,653 lb), which meant performance was considerably improved over that of a standard Beetle. A top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) with a tuned VW engine was also promised.[3] The most obvious difference to the Cimbria, upon which the Eagle SS was based, was the Cimbria's flip-up headlights: Eagle chose to equip their version with round, rear-folding headlights in the style of the Porsche 928.[4]
Three version were produced; MkI, had a seperat internal roll cage, long nose low roof nad side windows hinged at teh front edge MkII Has a shorter removable nose section, built in roll cage on later models and adtion of the Frod based model, side windows hinged fron front botton and top coerners and were longer at teh lower front. MkII, Back to one peice nose, slightly higher roor, all had built in steel bars to the cabin area. Side windows as MkII. Chassis was an unshortened version at 2,400 mm (94.5 in), while the car was 4,240 mm (166.9 in) long, 1,780 mm (70.1 in) wide, and a mere 1,040 mm (40.9 in) high. First mentioned in 1984, a targa-roofed 2+2-seater version called the 2 Plus was also available, with only a slight weight penalty.[5][6]
Front-engined version
Later, Eagle engineered a front-engined, tubular framed chassis for the SS. This used Ford Cortina running gear, and was easily recognized by its conspicuous (and odd-looking) bonnet bulge.[4] Eagle also claimed it possible to fit this version of the SS with Rover's familiar 3.5-litre V8.[7]
The Series 3 SS was somewhat taller, at 1,120 mm (44.1 in).
IN 2005 The rights (and dormant molds) to the Eagle SS were rescued from a Kent boat yard by Tim Naylor of TEAC Sports Cars. Unfortunetly Tim was unable raise sufficient interest in a revised mid engine MkIV SS based on a Toyota MR2 donor which was exibited at Stoneliegh in 2006 and the project has since disaperied to an Ebay buyer from Wexford[1]
Other Models
Eagle Cars' fibreglass-bodied Jeep-lookalike, the Jeep RV,[8] was built around Ford Cortina parts. There was also an Eagle 4x4 (Range Rover, later also Daihatsu based), unusual for kit cars in that it had four-wheel drive. The RV used an X-braced ladder frame and the expected Ford engines, although the Ford Capri's 3-litre V6 and the usual Rover V8 were also possible fitments,[9] while the Eagle 4x4 was available with a whole host of different engines from Rover, Mercedes, Peugeot, or Ford.[10] Later a Ford Sierra-based two-seater, two-door convertible (also available with a hardtop) called the Milan 2 Plus.[2] This was first seen in 1988 and was co-developed with "Milan-Automobile" of Remscheid, Germany.[7] Since it accepted all Sierra underpinnings, the Milan was available with engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.8 litres and with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.[11] During the eighties, an RV Jeep Series II was developed, using more modern Ford Sierra parts.[9]
Eagle also offered modified versions of the sporting 2-seater Dutton Phaeton using Ford Escort Mk I and Mk II parts, called the Eagle P21 and P25.[1] These could accept a multitude of engines, ranging from the donor Escort's four-cylinder to a Rover V8.[12] They were 3,530 mm (139.0 in) long, 1,574 mm (62.0 in) wide and 1,194 mm (47.0 in) tall.[13]
Eagle's last development was the Standetto, a Ferrari F40 lookalike based on the Pontiac Fiero.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Erwin, Daryl. "History: A brief history of the Eagle Kit Car range 1981 - 1998". Eagle Owners Club. Archived from the original on 2010-10-06.
- ^ a b Bellu, René, ed. (September, 1989). Salon: Toutes les Voitures du Monde 89/90 (in French) (15 & 16). Paris: l'Auto Journal: 343.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Auto Katalog 1983. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. 1982. p. 86.
- ^ a b "History Pages: The Cimbria and its derivatives (1975-mid '90s)". SterlingKitCars.com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ Auto Katalog 1985. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. 1984. p. 86.
- ^ BilKatalogen 1989. Stockholm, Sweden: PM Press AB. 1988. pp. 234–235. (Swedish issue of German Auto Katalog)
- ^ a b Mastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (1990). Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1990 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. p. 205.
- ^ Salon 89/90, p. 170
- ^ a b "Eagle RV from Eagle Cars". Madabout-kitcars.com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1990, p. 1237
- ^ BilKatalogen 1989, p. 118
- ^ "Eagle P21 from Eagle Cars". Madabout-kitcars.com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ Negyesi, Pal. "British Specialty Cars - Eagle". KTUD Online Automotive Archive. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
External links
- TEAC Sportscars - Current owner of the SS molds
- The Eagle Owners Club - Eagle SS and RV Owners Club
- Eagle SS - Eagle SS links directory and car owner