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The first Merlyn racer ever constructed was a front-engined Formula Junior car built by Selwyn Hayward. Hayward enlisted help from a few of his friends, John Lewis, Jerry Simon and Richard Neale. On the racing circuit the car proved its potential and soon a production version was offered for sale.
The prototype was constructed in 1960 with the second car, the MK2, coming available in 1961. The Cooper racing cars had proven to the world that the mid-engined placement was the superior configuration and soon many other marque's were following the design. Merlyn's first rear-engined car was the MK3 Formula Junior car. In 1962 the MK4 sports racing car was introduced and powered by a Ford 1100cc engine. The design and technology continued to advance and by 1967 Merlyn had created the MK10 Formula 3 and Formula Libre car. The design of this car was used in creating the Formula Ford MK11.
Merlyn had a rich racing history but they are most remembered for their Formula Ford cars. They were one of the earliest producers of racers for this series and soon they were outselling their competition. Tim Schenken navigated an MK11 to many racing successes which helped boost sales for the small and capable car.
The MK11A brought with it many enhancements and refinements.
Merlyn also created Formula Atlantic cars, Formula 3 and track midgets. Jim Russell purchased a number of the Series 17, 20 and 24 racers for his racing schools located in the US and the UK.
In 1979, due to a number of circumstances, Merlyn ceased production of racers. Their final car was the MK31. CRD Tool and Engineering was later formed with most of the employees moving over to the new business.
The prototype was constructed in 1960 with the second car, the MK2, coming available in 1961. The Cooper racing cars had proven to the world that the mid-engined placement was the superior configuration and soon many other marque's were following the design. Merlyn's first rear-engined car was the MK3 Formula Junior car. In 1962 the MK4 sports racing car was introduced and powered by a Ford 1100cc engine. The design and technology continued to advance and by 1967 Merlyn had created the MK10 Formula 3 and Formula Libre car. The design of this car was used in creating the Formula Ford MK11.
Merlyn had a rich racing history but they are most remembered for their Formula Ford cars. They were one of the earliest producers of racers for this series and soon they were outselling their competition. Tim Schenken navigated an MK11 to many racing successes which helped boost sales for the small and capable car.
The MK11A brought with it many enhancements and refinements.
Merlyn also created Formula Atlantic cars, Formula 3 and track midgets. Jim Russell purchased a number of the Series 17, 20 and 24 racers for his racing schools located in the US and the UK.
In 1979, due to a number of circumstances, Merlyn ceased production of racers. Their final car was the MK31. CRD Tool and Engineering was later formed with most of the employees moving over to the new business.
| Formula FordThe Formula Ford series was established in 1967. The series was an economical means of pursuing racing in a league that was fiercely competitive due to strict guidelines. This meant the focus was on the talent of the driver rather than advanced racing components. A strict budget of £1000 kept the playing-field level. The machines used were open wheel, open body work, single seat racers. Firestone F100 treaded road tires were permitted, all others were not. The use of aerodynamic aids, such as wings, were not permitted. The standard engine was the 1600 cc Ford overhead valve. Since monocoque chassis were expensive, they were not permitted. Instead, space-frame chassis construction was utilized throughout the series. In 1979, the pre-'74 Championship was created. This allowed owners of cars built before 1974 an opportunity to once again compete against vehicles that were similar in specifications to their own. A 1974/1978 has also been created with the same purpose as the pre-74 Championship series. The series was later renamed to 1974/1980 as vehicles built up to 1980 were included. The pre-'74 cars were later classed as 'Class A'. The pre-'82 series cars, which included 1974 through 1981, were referred to as 'Class B'. |
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Historics at BeaveRun |
 Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen |
 2005 Jefferson 500 |
1972 Merlyn MK 20A |
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| Year | 1972 |
| Make | Merlyn |
| Model | MK 20A |
| Engine Location | Rear |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Spaceframe chassis and fiberglass body |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 1600.00 cc | 97.6 cu in. | 1.6 L. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 102.00 HP (75.1 KW) |
| HP / Liter | 63.8 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Hewland MK-4 | |
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| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Historics at BeaveRun |
| Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen |
| 2005 Jefferson 500 |
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