Moss Roadster

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Moss
Moss Roadster
Moss Roadster
Roadster
Malvern
Production period: 1981-2000
Class : Sports car
Body versions : Roadster
Engines: Petrol engines
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :
Moss Malvern (2017-06-11 Sp) .jpg
Moss Malvern, Heck (2017-06-11 Sp) .jpg
Moss Malvern

The Moss Roadster is an open, two-seater kit vehicle with a retro look that was produced in small series by six different British manufacturers between 1981 and 2000 . A 2 + 2-seater version was offered at times under the name Moss Malvern . Various donor vehicles were considered for the technical substructure.

Model description

The Moss Roadster appeared in 1981, the larger Malvern version debuted two years later. With the models, Moss followed the trend that was widespread at the time of offering construction vehicles (so-called kit cars) in the style of the 1930s. The kit included the body parts; a ladder frame designed by Moss himself was also supplied on request . The kit was largely pre-assembled; the completion required little detailed work. The customer was responsible for the procurement of the technical components. This way, Moss kept the cost of the kit down. Based on a similar concept, the Moss Mamba , based on an Alfa Romeo roadster , was created at the same time .

The body parts were made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic . In terms of style, Roadster and Malvern did not follow any specific model, rather they interpreted the stylistic devices common in the pre-war period freely. Some sources see slight similarities to the MG TD and Morgan models . However, there were a few breaks in the design, which could be seen, among other things, in the untimely high windshield or the atypical oval radiator grille.

From a technical point of view, the kit was designed to use the chassis and other technical components of older donor vehicles. This was also to be seen against the background of keeping the cost of the car as low as possible. The design fitted directly onto the chassis of a Triumph Herald or Vitesse , the production of which BLMC had already stopped in 1971. Engine, gearbox and electrics could also be used by them. However, Roadster and Malvern were not committed to these donor models. With a few changes, it was also possible to use technical components from the Ford Cortina ; Moss supplied the corresponding conversion kits. In addition, very different dispenser components were possible using the ladder frame, which is also available. The Moss Owners Club reports on vehicles that use the technology of a Fiat Panda , a Mitsubishi Galant or a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. In later years cars with components from the Ford Sierra and - from 1992 - with eight-cylinder engines from Rover are occupied.

Depending on national licensing law, the manufacture of the dispenser chassis can be decisive for the year of production of the kit vehicle.

Manufacturer

The kits of the Moss Roadster and Malvern were created over the years by a total of six different manufacturers, each of whom used the Moss brand name for sales . Initially the manufacturer was the Moss Motor Company in West Yorkshire . Its founder was John Cowperthwaite, who started restoring MG vehicles in 1975 and started manufacturing kit cars in 1981 using the Moss brand. After the factories were destroyed by fire in 1985, Cowperthwaite restructured the company twice before selling it to outside investors in 1987. The first two failed to establish a permanent production; only individual pieces were created here. Only Moss Cars (Bath) Ltd. resumed regular production. Manufacturers were:

  • Moss Motor Company (1981–1985)
  • Moss Sportscars (1985)
  • JC Autopatterns (1985–1987)
  • CSA Character Cars (1987)
  • Hampshire Classics (1987)
  • Moss Cars (Bath) (1987-2000).

production

The information on the scope of production fluctuates. In the specialist literature for the period from 1981 to 2000 there is sometimes talk of 500 roadsters and 500 Malverns. One source assumes that 150 vehicles were manufactured by the Moss Motor Company between 1981 and 1985. Sometimes 370 Malvern specimens are given for the period from 1983 to 1987.

literature

  • Steve Hole: AZ of Kit Cars. The definitive encyclopaedia of the UK's kit-car industry since 1949 . Haynes Publishing, Sparkford 2012, ISBN 978-1-84425-677-8 , pp. 176-177 (English).

Web links

Commons : Moss Roadster  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Moss Malvern  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c The Moss Roadster on the website www.classic-kitcars.com (accessed on June 27, 2017).
  2. ↑ a b c d Steve Hole: AZ of Kit Cars. The definitive encyclopaedia of the UK's kit-car industry since 1949 . Haynes Publishing, Sparkford 2012, ISBN 978-1-84425-677-8 , pp. 177 (English).
  3. ↑ Internet presence of the Moss Owners Club (accessed June 27, 2017).
  4. ↑ Steve Hole: AZ of Kit Cars. The definitive encyclopaedia of the UK's kit-car industry since 1949 . Haynes Publishing, Sparkford 2012, ISBN 978-1-84425-677-8 , pp. 176 (English).