2010 Robin Hood Gen One Zero

Robin Hood Zero D331KDE

 

Highlights

●      Caterham-style kit

●      Built in 2010 and very well finished

●      Ford 1.8 Pinto engine

●      Sierra Type 9 gearbox

●      Fresh MOT

Overview 

The former colliery town of Mansfield Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire might not seem the most likely location to find a sports car manufacturer, but from 1980 to 2006, it was home to Robin Hood Engineering, which started out by making Ferrari Daytona lookalikes out of Rover SD1s.

Soon after, the company jumped on the Lotus Seven tribute bandwagon, building a kit-car replica of the Series 4 Seven known as the Zero. The name continued beyond that, after GBE was sold to Great British Sports Cars, which still makes the cars today.

It became the subject of a high-profile legal battle, because after Lotus stopped Seven production, Caterham had bought the rights to build a car in its image. Robin Hood Engineering’s argument was that the Caterham was based on the Seven Series 3 and, along with similar maker Westfield, the company was allowed to continue making the cars provided it didn’t use trademark colour schemes, such as Lotus green and yellow.

This one certainly doesn’t fall foul of that – it’s a 2010 build finished in Ford ST Orange with polished alloy details, so you’ll certainly notice it coming.

It’s a fun car, but also a delightfully simple one, using a Ford 1.8-litre Pinto engine, motorcycle carburettors and a Type 9 five-speed gearbox from a Sierra. The car has been coveted and kept in a dry garage, and is only for sale due to bereavement. 

 

History and documentation

• Built in 2010 using a 1987 Ford Sierra donor car

• MOT until 24 April 2026

• No MOT advisories

• Two keys and fobs

Interior

• Basic cabin with carpeted floors and sides and leatherette six-dial dash

• Cobra bucket sports seats

• TRS three-point harnesses

• Three-spoke sports steering wheel

• Very clean and tidy with only some minor lifting to the vinyl centre console covering

Exterior

• Bright ST Orange

• Five-spoke 15-inch MAK 4 x 100 alloy wheels

• Good quality Yokohama rear and Avon front tyres

• Full weather gear

• Quick release fuel filler

• Rear rollover cage

• Other than one very small dent in the bonnet and a little wear to the wheel arches, it's in great condition

Mechanical

• 1.8-litre Ford Pinto

• Five-speed Type 9 transmission

• Motorcycle carbs

• Cooled via a Coolex radiator and fan combo.

• Bespoke stainless-steel exhaust

• Valve stem oil seals recently replaced

• Always well-maintained

Summary

If you want a car that’s all about the pleasure of driving and very little else, then the Robin Hood Zero is just the ticket – there’s not much to it, but what there is more than makes up for it, as it’s an absolute hoot to drive, as well as being cheap to own and run and simple to maintain. 

This one is a great example that has clearly been well looked-after, and is in great overall condition. 

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. The car is located in Thurso in Scotland.