The history of Trident Cars Ltd. is a tale of ambition, reinvention, and boutique British engineering—rooted in a failed TVR project and carried forward by one determined dealer.
🛠️ Origins: From TVR to Trident
- In the early 1960s, **TVR** was struggling financially. One of its projects involved a new GT car styled by **Trevor Fiore** (formerly Trevor Frost), with bodywork built by **Carrozzeria Fissore** in Italy.
- This prototype, known as the **TVR Trident**, debuted at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show. However, TVR’s collapse later that year shelved the project.
🚗 Birth of Trident Cars Ltd.
- **Bill Last**, a TVR dealer and owner of Viking Performance in Woodbridge, Suffolk, acquired the rights to the Trident design and moulds.
- He founded **Trident Cars Ltd.** in 1966 and began production of the **Trident Clipper** in 1967, initially using Austin-Healey 3000 underpinnings and a Ford 289 V8.
📈 Expansion and Model Lineup
- Trident later introduced:
- **Venturer** (1969): Ford Essex V6, based on a stretched Triumph TR6 chassis.
- **Tycoon** (1971): Triumph 2.5L straight-six, aimed at a more affordable market.
- The company moved to **Ipswich** and offered cars in both **fully built and kit form**, appealing to enthusiasts and DIY builders alike.
📉 Decline and Closure
- The 1970s brought challenges:
- **Ford engine supply issues** due to strikes.
- **Emissions and safety regulations** in the U.S. limited export potential.
- The **1973 oil crisis** dampened demand for large-engined GTs.
- Trident ceased operations in **1974**, briefly revived in **1976**, and finally closed in **1977**.
🔄 Revival Attempt
- In **1999**, the Trident name was revived in **Fakenham, Norfolk**, with plans for a diesel-powered sports car called the **Iceni**. Though ambitious, this venture eventually evolved into **Broadley Performance Vehicles**, with limited success.
The Trident story is one of “what might have been”—a marque that blended Italian design, American muscle, and British craftsmanship, but never quite found the commercial traction it deserved. Would you like a visual timeline or a deeper dive into the Iceni revival?
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Trident Clipper (1967-77)
The Trident Clipper was born from a fascinating blend of ambition, opportunism, and Anglo-Italian flair. Its concept and intention were shaped by a desire to create a high-performance British GT that could rival the likes of the AC Cobra and Iso Grifo—combining American muscle with European styling.
🚗 Origins and Concept
- **TVR Roots**: The Clipper began life as a TVR project in 1964, with designer Trevor Fiore (aka Trevor Frost) sketching a sleek coupe to attract wealthier buyers. The prototype was built by Carrozzeria Fissore in Italy and debuted at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show.
- **Bankruptcy Twist**: When TVR went bankrupt, distributor William Last acquired the rights to the design and launched it under a new marque—**Trident Cars Ltd.**, based in Woodbridge, Suffolk.
🎯 Intentions Behind the Clipper
- **Performance First**: The Clipper was envisioned as a brutally fast GT, powered by a Ford 289 V8 (the same engine used in the Shelby Cobra), delivering around 270 bhp. This made it one of the quickest British cars of its day.
- **Styling with Italian Influence**: Its body, styled by Fiore and built by Fissore, gave it a distinctly continental look—aimed at standing out in a market dominated by more conservative British designs.
- **Low-Volume Exclusivity**: Trident aimed to carve out a niche with limited production, offering exclusivity and bespoke appeal. Only around 39 V8-powered Clippers were built.
- **Adaptability for Broader Appeal**: Later variants like the Venturer (with a Ford V6) and Tycoon (with a Triumph straight-six) were introduced to broaden the market and reduce costs, though they lacked the Clipper’s raw performance.
🛠️ Engineering and Challenges
- **Chassis Evolution**: Early Clippers used Austin-Healey 3000 chassis, later switching to a lengthened Triumph TR6 platform. While this allowed for independent suspension, it wasn’t quite up to the task of handling the V8’s power.
- **Federal Ambitions**: A U.S.-compliant version was introduced in 1976, but the required impact bumpers and raised ride height compromised its aesthetics and appeal.
In essence, the Trident Clipper was a bold attempt to create a British-American hybrid GT with Italian styling—an exotic cocktail that nearly made it big. It’s one of those “what could have been” stories in classic car lore.
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Global Popularity
While the Trident Clipper had the looks and performance to rival international GTs, it never achieved global popularity.
🌍 Limited Reach, Niche Appeal
- **Production Numbers**: Fewer than 80 units were built between 1967 and 1977. That alone limited its visibility outside the UK.
- **Distribution Constraints**: Trident Cars Ltd. was a small, independent operation without the dealer network or marketing muscle to push the Clipper internationally.
- **Federalisation Challenges**: A U.S.-compliant version was introduced in 1976, but the required impact bumpers and raised ride height compromised its aesthetics and appeal.
- **Oil Crisis & Market Timing**: The 1973 oil crisis and growing emissions regulations made large-displacement V8 GTs a tough sell globally—especially from a lesser-known marque.
🚘 Cult Status, Not Commercial Success
- The Clipper is now a **rare and sought-after classic**, admired for its Anglo-American engineering and Italian styling influences.
- It’s often mentioned in the same breath as other “what could have been” cars—vehicles that had the ingredients for success but lacked the infrastructure or timing to go mainstream.
It’s a fascinating case of a car that *should* have been a hit, but instead became a hidden gem.
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