The Adams Brothers' Probe Series

1969 Adams Probe 15

Dennis Adams' amazing Probe series began in 1968 with the 29" high Probe 15, which never made production. There was only one completed Probe 15 and it based on one of only two body shells produced. The second bodyshell was used by the Adams’ to make the buck for the Probe 16 molds, then passed onto Peter Timpson of Concept Cars who used it to build the prototype Concept Centaur GT.

Adams Probe 16 (aka. Durango 95)

The follow-up Probe 16 also did not see production. However it was made infamous by the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film, "A Clockwork Orange", wherein it was given the pseudonym "Durango '95". Just 3 examples of this iconic car were made. A "fourth" was produced after the fact, derived from the original molds, but using a Marcos windshield and incorporating a number of subtle changes to the design.

Adams Probe 2001

The Probe version that finally made it to production, at the hands of the Adams brothers, was the Probe 2001. Still very low at 37", it was intended to have V8 power, but ultimately used the BMC 1800 motor and suspension mechanicals, and featured a redesigned body with a built in spoiler for roll over protection. It also had an electrically operated Perspex roof that slid back to allow for entry. To ease this odd mode of entry, the seats moved up and back. Adams only built 4 examples before the project moved to Scotland. Around 12 further shells were made though it is unclear how many were made into completed cars.

Concept Centaur GT

The Concept Centaur GT was created by Peter Timson, who took one of the original Probe 15 body shells and modified it considerably. Most notably, he increased the width of the car and implemented more robust doors. 26 were made between 1974-77.

Concept Centaur MK2

This spawned further evolutions in the form of the MK2 and MK3 versions before Timson passed the project on. The MK2 was a wider more practical version of the Centaur, which featured 2+2 seating, conventional doors, a windshield from the Vauxhall Ventura, and used the Chrysler Imp 875cc motor, though options such as Mini and Ford power were also offered.

Concept Centaur MK3

The MK3 was a two seater and was very similar to the MK2, but incorporated a one piece louvered rear hatch.

A company called Mirage Developments purchased the rights to Timson's Centaur designs and rebranded them with the "Pulsar" moniker. The Pulsar 2 and Pulsar 3 were essentially the MK2 & MK3 Centaur designs. Roughly 30 were made from 1978-82 so they are very rare.

In all, less than 100 of the cars spawned from Adams' Probe series were produced by the 3 firms the project went through.

Circa Cars "Andromeda"

Currently there is an effort to revive the Probe make by the Scottish Firm, Circa Cars. Theirs is essentially a "re-imagined Probe 16" with gull-wing doors replacing the sliding canopy and 3 abreast seating, with the driver in the center. This new version features Yamaha R1 motorcycle power with a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Circa is working on restoring/building a "new" Probe 15 from one of the two original Adams body shells and they have acquired one of the original Probe 2001's with the intent of restoring that too.
These projects are ongoing, per Circa Cars, watch this space...

Sources:

• imps4ever.info
• Information
• https://www.imps4ever.info/specials/centaur/probe/index.html
• adamsprobe.com (via Archive.org, site currently inactive)
• Images and info
• Ian Thompsett - Centaur owner and subject matter expert
• Images and info
• Circa Cars
• Images and info
• http://andromeda.scot/

Images used with permission of owners, all rights are reserved respectively.

Adams Probe 15

Adams Probe 15

Scene from "A Clockwork Orange" featuring the Adams Probe 16

Probe 16, aka. "The Durango 95"

Probe 16

Concept Centaur MK3

Concept Centaur GT

Adams Probe 2001 Interior

Adams Probe 2001

Adams Probe 2001