So ...what are Terrapins?
Terrapins are small spaceframe single seater racing cars. Designed primarily to compete in sprint and speed hillclimb events.
All cars were built by individuals at home, designed jointly by the late well known motoring author Allan Staniforth and Richard Blackmore.
It is thought that approx one hundred chassis were built worldwide between 1969 and the present day.
The purpose of this website is to track down those cars still in existence and promote their use.
The cars were originally designed to utilise an A-series Mini engine and gearbox assembly, mid-mounted, some cars have since been developed to use modern motorcycle power units with chain drive in order to keep pace with their more up to date class rivals.
Allan published a book 'High speed low cost' profiling the build of the cars, encouraging many builders to undertake their projects. A reprint of the publication is currently available.
A sports libre version of the Terrapin were also built in lower numbers , this was known as the Mk5.
It is thought that many Terrapins still exist albeit resting dormant. We hope that by tracing their owners that they can be be brought back out of the woodwork and seen on the hills again in the very near future.
Sadly Allan passed away in May 2009, but his legacy lives on in the many people who were, and will be in the future, inspired to build and race their own cars by his work.
All cars were built by individuals at home, designed jointly by the late well known motoring author Allan Staniforth and Richard Blackmore.
It is thought that approx one hundred chassis were built worldwide between 1969 and the present day.
The purpose of this website is to track down those cars still in existence and promote their use.
The cars were originally designed to utilise an A-series Mini engine and gearbox assembly, mid-mounted, some cars have since been developed to use modern motorcycle power units with chain drive in order to keep pace with their more up to date class rivals.
Allan published a book 'High speed low cost' profiling the build of the cars, encouraging many builders to undertake their projects. A reprint of the publication is currently available.
A sports libre version of the Terrapin were also built in lower numbers , this was known as the Mk5.
It is thought that many Terrapins still exist albeit resting dormant. We hope that by tracing their owners that they can be be brought back out of the woodwork and seen on the hills again in the very near future.
Sadly Allan passed away in May 2009, but his legacy lives on in the many people who were, and will be in the future, inspired to build and race their own cars by his work.