Built in 1991 by Gold Motor Company, in Surrey England, the Cirrus was a cutting edge British sportscar. It was designed by noted hot-rodder Nick Butler, who built the famous Wolfrace Sonic 6-wheeler among other things. RCC has covered that car here. With the backing of a wealthy financier, he had big plans for the car.
The sleek styling, done by Butler, was also functional, leveraging ground-effect aerodynamics and a low frontal area for decreased drag. The Cirrus also sported pop-up headlights, still the fashion for sportscars of the era. It also featured a removable hard-top for fair weather driving.
A cut-away illustration of the Cirrus
The Cirrus was 4 wheel drive, with a mid-rear mounted 200bhp Rover V8, and a composite body over a tubular steel chassis. The 4x4 system included a specially developed Ferguson viscous center differential, distributing the power, front & rear. It was capable of 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, had a top speed of 140 mph, and could manage 24 mpg. These numbers aren't necessarily impressive by modern standards, but they put the car squarely in the middle tier of its contemporaries.
As with most low-volume sports cars, the Cirrus borrowed parts from other vehicles, such as a Citroën CX windscreen and Vauxhall Royale tail lights, but they were very skillfully integrated.
The Cirrus prototype, at rear
The car was very well received in the British motoring press upon its introduction. A red one was driven by Tiff Needell on Top Gear for their 1991 Motor Fair special. Needell said: "This is a serious motor car... An indulgence, but rather a nice one."
However, despite its cutting-edge technology, only two were made: a Gold prototype and a Red production version. This was most likely down to a £45,000 price tag in the midst of a terrible recession. Unfortunately, its debut coincided with the eve of a financial collapse that befell the UK and much of Europe in the early 90's.
The Cirrus prototype in profile
Today both the prototype, a completed production example, and another unfinished car reside in private hands. The Red example was offered for sale at £20,000 on eBay but apparently there were no takers.
Hi John, thanks for putting together this excellent blog history of the Cirrus. I am the current keeper of the gold prototype car and can attest to its complex engineering and clever packaging. Nick Butler was, and still is an under appreciated icon on the British automotive scene.
Hi John, thanks for putting together this excellent blog history of the Cirrus. I am the current keeper of the gold prototype car and can attest to its complex engineering and clever packaging. Nick Butler was, and still is an under appreciated icon on the British automotive scene.
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