Monday 23rd May 2011

PH Carpool: Spectre R45

A proud PHer presents the only road-going example on the, er... road

---

PHer Mark Roonan (aka inspectre) tells us a bit about an extremely rare piece of British kit - one of a pair of 4.6 litre Ford V8 powered Spectre R45s - that's parked in his garage:

*****

PHer Mark Roonan - Spectre owner

"I have always had a soft spot for something a bit different (Fiat Multipla, Triumph Dolomite etc...) and visited the Spectre factory at a time when they were considering selling-on their family jewels. Having had a good look round the R45 and admiring the well-proportioned, mid-engine layout with ample rear,I shimmied my way into the driver's seat. Honestly, once seated in inside it felt so fabulously good I did not want to get out. Alright, alright, too many kebab and burger van visits may have played their part too...

"Once out on the road a factory test drive proved to be every bit as intriguing, and a thrash around Milton Keynes sealed the deal. So later on that week I was booted and suited pleading, and with the bank manager that I had a cracking investment opportunity. Luckily for me he knew nothing about cars, but had enough fashion sense to agree that yellow was a great colour choice for a man with a ginger mullet.

"The Spectre R45 was launched by Desmond Llewellyn, better known as 'Q' from James Bond, at the London Motor show in 1997 as a design study to test the reaction from customers and press. The response was good enough to encourage Spectre to go ahead with development of the follow-up to the R42, with a simple design brief; to create a lighter, sleeker, more aerodynamic and powerful successor. After the 1997 Motor Show the plan was for a full production R45 to be ready for the 1998 Motor Show, however in the meantime Spectre fell into bankruptcy in late 1997...

"In time Spectre was rescued, but only two R45's were ever built, the original Motor Show car and the later and presently only road going example here, which was developed through a number of prototype stages to re-engineer the concept using all new parts including a full carbon fibre body and a development programme to tune the ride, handling and performance. In 2003 the R45 project was put on hold (the economics suggested that the target price of £90,000 would not be profitable) and this R45 was retained to benchmark further prototype supercars until 2009, when it was sold direct from the factory.

"So what I got for the bank's money was a very high standard, sorted, unique motor, but one in the fine tradition of fettling and playing around with has been honed over the last couple of years (shout out to Southway Automotive PHers 'Paul.B' and 'Steve_D'), with the addition of new sturdier doors and working a/c and ventilation system - the latter as a result of the improved sealing on the doors creating a new furnace like ambience. I do like the idea of open top motoring though..."

(Pictures by AndWhyNot and missjkr)

[300bhp/ton]

Nice looking car. What motor does it run, guessing if it's 4.6 litres then that's either a Rover or a Ford modular?

What's the smoke in this pic though??

[pigpog]

Interesting car, great photos

[300bhp/ton]

pigpog said:

Interesting car, great photos

Not sure I like the Photoshopped ones. Each to their own and all and if they where paintings fine. But I rather like my pics to look real.

I do like the car though and the colour.

[red_rover]

A poor man's Rover 45 by the sounds of it.

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

PHer Mark Roonan (aka inspectre) tells us a bit about an extremely rare piece of British kit - one of a pair of 4.6 litre Ford V8 powered Spectre R45s - that's parked in his garage

Scan reading.... lol

[jellison]

Bland bar the but ugly lights.

ER NO!!

[silversixx]

300bhp/ton said:

Nice looking car. What motor does it run, guessing if it's 4.6 litres then that's either a Rover or a Ford modular?

What's the smoke in this pic though??

My guess is that the 'smoke' has been 'shopped on their for some reason - could be wrong. That or it's steam from head gasket failure

[TommyBuoy]

It's a different looking car, but I like it. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about the spec though - power, weight etc?

Are the rear lights borrowed from something else ( another fine British tradition )?

[Lightningman]

I spent some time at the 'factory' (read warehouse on an industrial estate) when Spectre cars were a going concern. As stated, and by the time I visited, they were using the good'ole Mustang V8. The cars they were working on were akin to a kit car (fit and finish) and there was a strong whiff of imminent failure; however, no worse than so many home-brew British car makers.

Good to see a few of the later cars survived.

[britsportscars]

I remember seeing the R42, that was a chunky looking thing. Never knew they did a successor though. Interesting!

[300bhp/ton]

silversixx said:

300bhp/ton said:

Nice looking car. What motor does it run, guessing if it's 4.6 litres then that's either a Rover or a Ford modular?

What's the smoke in this pic though??

My guess is that the 'smoke' has been 'shopped on their for some reason - could be wrong. That or it's steam from head gasket failure

lol, I was thinking more engine oil fire...

[300bhp/ton]

TommyBuoy said:

It's a different looking car, but I like it. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about the spec though - power, weight etc?

Are the rear lights borrowed from something else ( another fine British tradition )?

Many small scale car makers will use light units from other sources, even the famed McLaren F1 does

[TommyBuoy]

300bhp/ton said:

TommyBuoy said:

It's a different looking car, but I like it. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about the spec though - power, weight etc?

Are the rear lights borrowed from something else ( another fine British tradition )?

Many small scale car makers will use light units from other sources, even the famed McLaren F1 does

Something to do with the cost of type approval I believe.

[McAndy]

Lovely car. I've enjoyed seeing at several PH and Goodwood meets now.

Maybe this publicity will prevent quite so many "Er...what?" questions for Mark now!

[detomaso]

TommyBuoy said:

300bhp/ton said:

TommyBuoy said:

It's a different looking car, but I like it. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about the spec though - power, weight etc?

Are the rear lights borrowed from something else ( another fine British tradition )?

Many small scale car makers will use light units from other sources, even the famed McLaren F1 does

Something to do with the cost of type approval I believe.

They are from the Honda Legend IIRC

[Gizmo!]

detomaso said:

They are from the Honda Legend IIRC

You do RC.


I love these features. What more "PH" a car could there be, than a V8-powered supercar that no-one's ever heard of but is someone's pride and joy?

[Turbocharger]

I quite like the photos - they look like 'real' camera effects rather than Photoshop. The headline picture is a long exposure roadside shot - but how was the car lit?

[silversixx]

Gizmo! said:

You do RC.


I love these features. What more "PH" a car could there be, than a V8-powered supercar that no-one's ever heard of but is someone's pride and joy?

Agreed. Have to say I'm genuinely shocked that the car isn't getting a higher rating...

[Roberty]

Back in the day there were two of these, but with slighlty different headlights and side intakes in the showroom of a mickey mouse garage in Shalfleet on the Isle of Wight.

[DrGP]

How much did he pay?

Fun. Like the car. But, how much?