Based in Banbury, England, Ascari Cars is a sports car manufacturer that was named after Alberto Ascari, the first double world race Formula 1 champion. Alberto is considered by many to be one of the greatest racing car drivers in the world. Ascari vehicles are considered to be among the best supercars from the U.K. The Race Resort Ascari is also managed by Ascari.
Designed by Lee Noble, now both owner and sole designer of the ‘Noble' automotive, the FGT Concept was introduced at numerous European motor shows in 1995. The unique styling and promise of the newest concept vehicle grabbed attention and the headlines of the world's press. A supercar, the FG-T featured a Chevrolet Corvette 6.0-liter fuel injected V8 that was mid-mounted behind the driver and produced 286 BHP.
The FG-T was created as a test base for the Ecosse, and was very similarly styled externally with the exception of the headlights being covered and the alloy wheel design much simpler.
Realizing its possible potential in the racing scene, Norwegian entrepreneur Klaas Zwart took the leap to help fund the company. The FG-T was launched in racing and debuted at the British GT Championship. He also won an event at Silverstone Circuit during the vehicles debut season in 1995. Not fast enough to pass pre—qualifying, the vehicle would also attempt to qualify for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The FG-T was now powered with a Ford V8.
In 1996 the FG-T continued to keep up with newcomers to British GT. Zwart eventually joined with William Hewland, owner of Hewland engineering, and the two of them partnered for a partial season in 1997 with only a best finish of fourth at Donington Park.
Very few F-GTs were delivered before the project was turned into the more powerful and popular Ecosse model. Ascari began to mass-produce the FGT in 1997 renaming it Ecosse and replacing the Chevy and Ford V8 engines with a series of BMW V8 powerplants with tuning and development from Hartge. In 2003 the Ascari Ecosse was replaced by the Ascari KZ1.
By Jessica Donaldson
