4 Forgotten British Sports Cars You Never Saw!

4 Forgotten British Sports Cars You Never Saw!

We'll explore four rare and fascinating British sports cars that most people have never heard of, each with its own unique story and engineering quirks. These aren’t the big-name classics like Jaguars or MGs — they’re the products of small workshops, bold ideas, and passionate builders who set out to make something special, even if only a few ever rolled off the line. From the late 1950s to the mid-1980s, these cars show how creativity and determination could rival much bigger companies.

First up is the Fairthorpe TX-GT, introduced in 1967 by Torix Bennett, son of Fairthorpe’s founder. Built on a Triumph GT6 chassis with a fiberglass fastback body, it featured Bennett’s own patented rear suspension and a smooth Triumph straight-six engine. With only 30 to 50 built across all versions, the TX-GT was a true one-off in the sports car world.

Next is the Clan Clover, a mid-1980s sports car from Northern Ireland that combined a lightweight fiberglass monocoque with Italian power. Based on earlier Clan Crusader designs, the Clover used a 1.5-liter Alfa Romeo flat-four engine mounted in the middle for balance and speed. With blistered arches, pop-up headlights, and racing potential, it was fast and fun — but only about two dozen were made before the company folded.

From the late 1950s, we have the Turner 950 Sports, a tiny roadster from Wolverhampton. Powered by an Austin A35 engine and weighing just over 1,100 pounds, it wasn’t about raw horsepower — it was about handling and agility. Built between 1957 and 1959, only around 170 were produced, but Turners punched above their weight in club racing, often beating bigger, more famous cars.

Finally, the Swallow Doretti of 1954 tells a story that stretches from Britain to California. Built by Swallow Coachbuilding (then owned by Tube Investments Group), it used Triumph TR2 mechanicals in a unique steel-and-aluminum body designed for the American market. Stylish, refined, and comfortable, the Doretti was short-lived — only 276 were made before production suddenly ended, possibly due to pressure from rival carmakers.

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