 |
GTM Libra coupe, showing off its monocoque chassis.
|
Richard Oakes is a designer and stylist hugely revered and respected within the automotive world for the string of successful projects that have benefitted from his unique input. However, just as interesting as the projects that have reached fruition are those that have not. Back in 1992, one such project was a fifth scale model he had named Pilot.
In Richard's educated opinion, this was the car the kit industry ought to be building. Naturally, he was pleased with the Midas Gold he had penned for the company but he disagreed with, then Midas boss, Harold Dermott's marketing strategy of back to back testing with such ground breaking performance hatches as Honda's outstanding CRX. To Richard, this was company in which the Midas Gold could not compete and, from his point of view, was never intended to. At that time, the Gold had been around a few years. Even though the car made the best possible use of a set of Mini or Metro mechanics, much better componentry was becoming available such that a far more ambitious and capable car was a totally feasible proposition. For Richard that car was the Pilot.
 |
Pilot concept model, 1992
|
Where the Midas fell down on pitting its cast iron 1400 A-series engine and four-speed box against the tide of all-aluminum, DOHC1 16~valve fuel injected five-speeds, the Pilot would not. Its composite shell would take advantage of the latest materials to emerge lighter and stiffer than any production sports car, while power would be delivered by a I6OOcc or even 2-litre DOHC, 16-valve fuel injected motor driving a five-speed box. All round double wishbone suspension and disc brakes would complete the performance package. That vision at last became reality in the GTM Libra, that was three years in the making between design, development, and testing.
The heart of the beast was a central composite monocoque tub employing a laminating design and process that is a fiercely guarded GTM secret. In the Libra, it was further developed to create a very lightweight all composite monocoque of exceptional torsional rigidity. Although it's a Rover Metro based car, the company has deviated from its normal donor recipe and discarded the subframes. This dictated new suspension systems front and rear which mount directly to the monocoque. The engine and transmission are mounted in the steel tube subframe bolted to the back of the monocoque. GTM designed a twin trailing arm wishbone arrangement that also mounted to the rear face of the monocoque. The rear hubs are Rover Metro front units.
The engine bay accommodated any of the Rover K-series engines. A car of this nature is obviously crying out for the DOHC 16-valve and while the right donor will provide a l4OOcc, lO3bhp unit, the larger 1600 and 18OOcc units from the Rover saloons would significantly boost the power to weight ratio.
The interior is surprisingly spacious for such a diminutive car. The relocated steering rack accounts for the increased fore and aft space while the use of curved side windows does the same for the width. The interior components are largely from the Metro donor car, but custom seats were available from GTM that improve the headroom and had a more race-car feel to them.
Said GTM's Peter Beck: "The GTM Libra has turned out so well because it's the car Richard Oakes really wanted to build. Although it's available as a kit, we're most pleased by the way its technical specification stands more than favorable comparison with anything else you can buy."
Photo Credits:
TKC mag / www.totalkitcar.com
GTM Libra Build - Facebook
GTM Libra Group - Facebook
Paul Blank - Facebook
World Sportscars Magazine (Spring 1989)
Comments
Post a Comment