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1959 Tornado Typhoon

In 1957, Tornado cars Ltd. was founded by Bill Woodhouse and Tony Bullen and based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The first product was the Typhoon Sports which was available in a plethora of configurations, including bodywork and mechanical components. In total, there were around 400 examples believed to have been produced to 1962.

Around 15 examples of the Tempest model were produced in 1960 and 1961.

The Tornado was another product offered by Tornado Ltd, and it had a lightweight fiberglass body and purpose-built chassis utilizing many Triumph parts. Part of the hope was that Triumph TR2 and TR3 owners would want a better product and find their answer in the Tornado. It was a purpose-built, lightweight, potent car that proved itself as a capable road-going and racing car. Only one example was produced, and it had a TR3 engine and is still in existence in modern times.

In 1964, the Tornado company had cash flow problems and suspended production.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The Tornado Car Company was formed in England in 1958, and their first model was called the Typhoon. Named after a British warplane and not a tropical storm, this car is an English Ford-based 'special.' These specials were popular in the 1950s before the Sprite and Mini were introduced. Only 300 Typhoons were built and not many were imported to the United States.

Not much is known about this car, although the license plate which came with it has been traced to the North of London and was issued in 1964. The car appeared in an English book of the world's sports cars published in the sixties. Classic Motorsports magazine publisher, Tim Suddard, found this car in 2014 in Wisconsin in boxes and restored it in his garage with the help of friends Jere Dotten and Tom Prescott. The body is made of fiberglass. The original Tornado frame is tubular, like an early Cobra, and the drivetrain is all 1953 Ford Prefect based. Rare period aftermarket speed equipment from the Aquaplane Company has been fitted to boost performance.