Fairthorpe
Kit car market was in full swing by 1956 and the Electron was their answer to this demand. The Automota chassis was adapted to accept the proprietary Mistral fibreglass body by Microplas and the engine was the Coventry Climax FWA. About 30 of these were delivered. The Electron Minor of 1958 was the most successful model up to that date and was conceived as a small light sports car using the Standard Ten engine and triumph Herald suspension. Production reached the heady level of 20 cars per month and the model remained in production for nine years, by which time it was fitted with the Triumph Spitfire engine. About 500 were sold.
In 1959 the factory built a Formula Junior racing car based on the suspension of the Electron Minor and with a rather heavy tubular chassis. The engine was mounted at the front but on the near side of the chassis and the driver balanced this by sitting on the off side. The rear suspension was Triumph Herald with larger rear wheel bearings to take the extra loading. The body was as odd as any other Fairthorpe and was believed to have been moulded around an aircraft fuel drop-tank. With it's curious little rear fin and circular body it looked like half a bomb.
The car was not competitive and was not developed as Bennett was not really interested in racing. The car was consigned to the rafters above the workshop where it was discovered by Duncan Rabagliati and is now owned by Ron Welsh who has restored it to raceworthy condition. The road going Electron was quite popular in club racing circles in the late 1950's and 1960's and enjoyed considerable success as a cheap and production sports car. The introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite at L80 less (L631) with full dealer and factory support made the Electron Minor more difficult to sell although it continued as a kit car until 1973. In 1961 a 2 + 2 coupe version was announced called the Electrina but only about 20 were made.
Make
Pre-Owned Models