The Clan Crusader Story

Posted by John Mellberg October 03, 2020

The Clan Crusader Story

A very clean early example of a Clan Crusader, owned by Jim McEwan

The Clan Crusader is a fiberglass monocoque sports two-seater, powered by the Rootes Imp Sport engine, with suspension and mechanicals from the same manufacturer. The Crusader was originally conceived by a group of Lotus engineers in the late '60s. Paul Haussauer formed the Clan Motor Company and developed a prototype vehicle, styled by John Frayling.
Initial production of the first few cars started in July 1971.

Five cars a week were being produced. Approximately 350 cars were built by Clan Motor Company, some at the beginning being sold in component form, i.e. bodyshell fully trimmed, all wiring, glass and piping fitted, (in the same way as Lotus Elans) to beat the 25% purchase tax. With the advent of VAT, component kits were dropped. In May 1972 the Crusader was successfully crash tested at M.l.R.A.

An early Clan Crusader (1975)

Production ceased in late 1973 due to the company's financial difficulties, even though sales were still good. Several finished and part-finished cars were sold after the company's closure.
In 1974 the company and a large proportion of its assets were bought by Cypriot Truck manufacturer Mr. Andreas Kaisis. The parts sat for several years in Cyprus, but were then brought back to Britain by Ian Hopper, a colleague of Paul Haussauer and former Managing Director of Clan Motor Company.

Meanwhile in Britain, the Crusader had been doing well as a competition car. Brian Luff who had been involved in the Crusader's early development produced a new mold tool by using an existing Clan body shell. Brian was able to supply body shells, panels and windscreen glass to people re-building or scratch building cars, mostly for competition use.

An Irish Clan Crusader, with an earlier '71

In 1982 The molds from Brian Luff were eventually sold to Peter McCandless, a Clan enthusiast and the owner of an original Clan for many years, who started Clan Cars Ltd in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. (taking advantage of government development grants for the area) Clan Cars updated the Crusader now simply called the CLAN.

It was now sold in three levels of kit form (basic, deluxe and complete) still using the Imp sport engine and major parts but now with fully retractable headlamps, molded-in bumpers, glass sunroof and with the choice of two engine options from Hartwell. The 998cc engine producing 65 BHP in the 'E' version or 78 BHP for the 'S' version . The actual number of cars produced is not known but is believed to be in the region of 120 road cars and 10 competition cars according to the Clan Owner's club.

The Alfa Romeo powered Clan Clover, one of 26 made. This was to be the last of the series.

In 1985 a mid-engine version was developed called the Clan Clover using the Alfa Romeo 1500cc flat four engine and gearbox, etc. It is believed that six kits were produced prior to the production of approximately 20 fully built cars.

Subsequently Clan Cars ran into financial difficulties and receivership. The company folded in June of 1987.

Sources:

Clan Owners Club (UK)

The Imp Site