CENTAUR
The Concept Centaur GT was a kit car first built by Concept Cars Ltd of Middleton, Leicestershire, in 1973 and marketed from 1974 to 1977. The design was very much influenced by the Probe 15 from Adams Probe Motors. The car is famous for possibly being the lowest car ever made being only 94 cm (37 in) high. It was based on the Hillman Imp and the body was a GRP-and-plywood monocoque with box section and steel tube reinforcement. The number of vehicles produced is disputed, both 26 and 52 have been quoted.
In 1978 a new 2+2 version was developed, but the project was passed on to Mirage Developments who sold it as the Mirage Pulsar.
The Durango 95 in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange was probably a Probe 16. Only 3 of these were made. All three are still in existence, including the car used in Clockwork Orange. Dennis Adams has recently revealed in an interview that he had sold the car used in the Clockwork Orange in 1971 to sponsor his move to the United States.
| Specification | |||
| Engine | Four cylinders in line Capacity: Bore: Stroke: |
53.04 cu in or 875cc 2.67″ 2.37″ |
|
| Steering | Rack and pinion | ||
| Brakes | Front drum (leading shoe): 8in dia. Rear drum: 8 in dia. |
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| Suspension | Front:
Rear: |
Independent (swing axle) coil springs with concentric dampers Independ (semi-trailing links) coil springs with dampers |
|
| Wheels | Revolution light alloy Front: Rear: |
10″ dia 13″ dia. |
25,4 cm 33,6 cm |
| Body / Chassis | G.R.P. monocoque with steel and plywood reinforcement. |
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| Dimensions | Wheelbase Front track Rear track Overall length Width Height Fuel tank capacity |
7’8″ 4’5″ 4’2″ 13′ 5’6″ 37″ six gallons |
234 cm 135 cm 123 cm 396 cm 168 cm 94 cm 27 litre |
| Performance | Max. speed: (approx.) Fuel consumption: (approx.) |
110 mph
50-55 mpg |
164 kph |
