SOLD for £2,100
“Anybody with the right engine and ratios can go fast in a straight line, but if you haven't got the handling, balance and ride quality, you won't have as much confidence to use whatever power you have got, ....... you could just end up going drag racing with interruptions!” Vindicator Cars.
Vindicator Cars were one of a number of ambitious ‘kit car’ makers that produced machines for the enthusiast who wanted something a little bit different. Founded by engineer Roger Lea in 1989, after ten years the company passed to Alan Taylor and John Butler with John going it alone after Alan retired a few years later before he finally called it a day in 2017.
Some one hundred and eighty-nine Vindicators were built in total, split between no less than seven different models, by far and away the most successful being the Sprint. This trod a well-worn path being a Lotus Seven-esque open two-seater. Many companies pursued this route with varying success, most notable being Westfield who were rewarded with a visit from lawyers representing the official bearers of the Lotus Seven flame, Caterham Cars. The ensuing court case defined what was and wasn’t allowable in terms of design and Westfield went on to successfully produce machines sufficiently distanced from the original Lotus’. It is probably fair to say that the Vindicator Sprint’s styling was unlikely to result in any ‘Cease and desist’ correspondence from Surrey…
Despite the mixed views regarding its looks, the Sprint (if Triumph Dolomite owners weren’t spending all their money on engine rebuilds, they surely would have seen Vindicator in court) appealed to buyers who appreciated that the car was both very well-engineered and great value for money. Twin wishbones up front were paired with an independent rear end utilising the tried and tested Ford Sierra differential unit while adjustable coil-over dampers were fitted all round. Engine choice was diverse from Ford via Alfa to Rover V8 but the power unit was always positioned well back in the chassis which, with the fuel tank in front of the rear axle, ensured that the majority of the mass of the car was contained within its wheelbase.
This Vindicator Sprint was built and registered in 1998 with sufficient new parts to dodge the bane of so many self-built machines, the dreaded ‘Q Plate’, its first and only owner being marque stalwart and friend of the company Keith Cox. Originally finished in black with standard Sprint bodywork, the Vindicator was issued with a Motor Sports Association Production Kit Car Registration Form in 2003 in Mr Cox’s name but with the info@vindicator email address indicating this was very much a joint effort. This form noted that it was running a Rover V8 engine, Sierra MT75 gearbox, Sierra torque biasing differential and it tipped the scales at just 690 kilograms. At some point the gearbox was replaced with a Borg Warner T5, a redoubtable unit employed in a variety of performance machinery from Sierra Cosworths to TVR Griffith 500s to Holden Commodores and even the Panther Solo 2.
The most significant alteration to the Vindicator is that the original bodywork has been replaced with a Wildmoor DM1 shell, at a stroke dealing with the most common criticism of the Sprint as well as improving its aerodynamics considerably. Well respected, with hints of both Radical and perhaps Ultima, the DM1 is, we would suggest, a significant improvement and a Sports 2000 for the road is perhaps the best way to describe it.
Built and developed with competition in mind, this Vindicator is packed with ‘all the right bits’ as they say. A cruise through the photo gallery will show these and inform you as to their condition but some of the highlights for us are:
Fuel injected Rover V8 engine with electronic control unit
Borg Warner T5 gearbox thought to be ex-Ford Sierra Cosworth
Ford Sierra limited slip differential
Optional Factory twin wishbone rear suspension
Front coil-over Spax adjustable dampers with adjustable spring seats
Rear coil-over Trak Spax dampers with adjustable spring seats
Fully adjustable Rose jointed suspension
Front anti-roll bar
Inboard rear discs with Wilwood four pot callipers
Twin circuit four pot front brake callipers
Braided brake lines
Brake balance adjuster
Hydraulic handbrake
Aluminium fuel tank
Cast alloy rear uprights
Electric cooling fan
Aluminium header tank
Mocal Remote oil filter
Lightweight race seats
Driver’s full harness belts
Astrali suede rimmed steering wheel
Safety cut off switch
Gurney flap and rear diffuser
Yokohama A008Rs front tyres
Avon Turbospeed rear tyres
The fuel injected, engine managed Rover V8 starts easily and sounds fabulous through stubby side exit exhausts with 50 PSI showing on the Racetech oil pressure gauge at a just under 1,000 RPM cold idle. There is very little flywheel inertia and engine revolutions rise and fall instantaneously. A rolling road dynamometer printout on file indicates a peak of 152 brake horse power and 235 lb/ft of torque at the wheels and with perhaps some 25 to 30 BHP being swallowed up by the 'box and LSD, flywheel output is likely to be something around 180 BHP. Performance can be expected to be brisk to say the least.
The Vindicator’s condition is ‘competition car appropriate’ but we were pleasantly impressed with the quality, finish and fit of the Wildmoor body. The seats have been loosely placed in the cockpit for final positioning and securing and it would appear that the fitment of an alternator and the re-connecting of the wiring for the front and rear lights might be all that is required to pass its next MOT test.
The car’s documents file contains the V5C registration document in the one and only owner’s name, showing it was registered in July 1998. The aforementioned MSA Production Kit Car Registration Form and rolling road printout accompany a note of gear ratios for the Borg Warner T5 gearbox. There are also a couple of old MOT test certificates, the first from June 1998 carried out under the Vindicator’s Chassis Number prior to the Registration Number UUY 369Y being assigned to it.
Though previously successfully MOT tested and used on the road, in recent years the Vindicator has primarily seen action as a Sprint car though Hill-climbs and even circuit racing, perhaps in the 750 Motor Club’s popular Sports Special Championship, are all viable future options. A lot of fun for not much money, the Wildmoor DM1 body has successfully transformed a slightly ugly duckling into a more swanlike machine that with a little fettling could continue its competition career or doubtless turn a few heads down the Dog and Duck.
Bid £2050
Hi Jamo Couldn't agree more, it would be perfect for track days. Many thanks for your bids, you were just short so we'll be in touch in the morning to see if we can hammer out a deal. Thanks also to everyone who had a bid on the car.
September 27th at 08 : 01 PM
September 27th at 07 : 59 PM
September 27th at 07 : 57 PM
September 27th at 07 : 24 PM
September 27th at 07 : 17 PM
September 27th at 06 : 28 PM
Hi all. The bid numbers have turned orange so we are getting close to the Vindicator's reserve. Thanks and good luck to all bidders.
September 27th at 10 : 23 AM
September 26th at 10 : 37 AM
September 26th at 10 : 12 AM
September 23rd at 09 : 29 AM
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