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The 1991 Maxton Rollerskate
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One of my personal favorite component cars was introduced to the world in 1991. Created by Bob Sutherland, the visionary and financier, Dan Ripley CEO, and designer Michael Mate under the brand of Maxton Components, in Englewood Colorado; it was called the Rollerskate.
Basically, a modern interpretation of the classic British roadster, it blended elements from the old "bugeye" sprites, Triumphs, and the spartan feel of the Lotus 7. All of that with a modern twist and a reliable Japanese donor car.
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The Maxton team with the original Aluminum bodied prototype and an early production model
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Early prototypes and mules of the Rollerskate used a L28 Engine from the Datsun 280z. Both a beautifully shaped aluminum prototype and a more crude yellow mule employed this setup. However in the end, a different donor was chosen for reasons of packaging and weight savings.
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| The 1991 Maxton Rollerskate |
The later prototypes and production models were powered by the venerable 13b rotary engine from the 1st generation Mazda RX-7, making for quite a nimble, potent, lightweight package. The 13b offered ease of maintenance, and excellent reliability quite unlike it's European rivals.
Employing a tuned space frame chassis made from box section tubing and a suspension designed by Formula Renault/Can Am designer Ben Vanderlinden, the Rollerskate had nearly perfect weight distribution (47-53). Vanderlinden also designed a double wishbone suspension, consisting of upper and lower A-arms and uprights from a Ford Mustang 2. Coil-over shocks and antisway bars rounded out the package.
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| The 1991 Maxton Rollerskate - Interior |
In keeping with the spirit of it's forebears, the interior of the car is very spartan, with a clean, simple dash, and sensibly placed gauges and switch gear set in it's flat surface. The absence of doors and a roof add to the roadster feel!
Maxton delivered the car 80% complete, with only the drivetrain, paint and trim left for the customer to sort out. Given the amount of performance equipment for RX-7's the possibilities were virtually endless!
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| The 1991 Maxton Rollerskate - Engine bay and front suspension |
I'd like to see one using the newest twin rotor sequentially turbocharged motor from the final RX-7. That would really scream!
Unfortunately, in their short 3 year run just 50 production cars were built and a handful of prototypes. The venture as killed by the economic downturn of the mid 90's. However, there is a very active community among owners of the car and many of the company's original team are involved in supporting Rollerskate owners.
(Photo credit: many photos included were culled from Maxtonrollerskate.com, the definitive source for info on the Rollerskate. An excellent website.)
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This is the aluminum Maxton prototype with a
supercharged L28 6cyl (B&M) 280Z motor,
modified by Cosworth, Alfetta 5-speed transaxle,
tube space frame built in the UK by
Churchgreen engineering, discs all-around.
Ultimately it was too expensive to produce
in aluminum, thus the eventual change to
fiberglass bodies and the 13B power. |
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| The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype, from the rear |
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| The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype |
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| The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype - Interior |
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The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype
and a later iteration of the Rollerskate |
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The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype
and a later iteration of the Rollerskate |
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| The original Aluminum bodied Maxton prototype - Engine bay |
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The second Maxton prototype "mule" - Engine bay
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| The second Maxton prototype "mule" |
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The Maxton Rollerskate - RX-7 engine and custom suspension
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Advertisement |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Advertisement |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - clamshell hood opened |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - In champaigne metallic color |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Profile |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - driver's side |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Two-tone Blue on Silver |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - rear 3/4 view |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Front 3/4 view |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Advertisement |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Advertisement |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Spec sheet |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - Rear 3/4 view |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - All weather gear shown |
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| The Maxton Rollerskate - "Doors" shown |
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The Follow on concept for the Maxton Rollerskate,
with curved windshield, pop-up headlights,
and added ventilation for the engine and brakes
which was penned by designer Michael Mate. |
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