Jump to content

Davrian: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
M100 (talk | contribs)
m External links: Removed commercial link
Monkbot (talk | contribs)
m Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 5 templates: hyphenate params (1×); del |ref=harv (1×);
 
(72 intermediate revisions by 46 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
'''Davrian''' cars were made in London, England from 1967 to 1976, in [[Tregaron]], Dyfed, Wales from 1976 to 1980 and [[Lampeter]], Dyfed, from 1980 to 1983.
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| logo =
| name = Davrian Developments Ltd
| type = British Sportscar Manufacturer
| location_city = [[Lampeter]], Wales
| location_country = United Kingdom
| founder = David Clarke and Adrian Evans (Dav-rian)
| foundation = 1967
| fate = Receivership
| industry = Automobiles
| products =
| homepage =
| footnotes =
}}


'''Davrian''' cars were built by Davrian Developments{{sfnp|Northey|1974|p=500}} at 65 North Street, Clapham in London, England, from 1965{{sfnp|Northey|1974|p=500}} to 1976, in [[Tregaron]], Dyfed, Wales from 1976 to 1980 and [[Lampeter]], Dyfed, from 1980 to 1983.
Adrian Evans, the car's designer built a series of cars called Davrian from 1965 using the aluminium alloy [[Hillman Imp]] engine based on the [[Coventry Climax]]. In 1967, the design had settled to a 2 seat glass fibre [[monocoque]] coupé, officially called the '''Davrian Demon''' and series production started with the cars being available in [[kit car|kit]] form. A variety of power units were offered including [[Mini]], [[Volkswagen Beetle]]
and [[Ford Fiesta]]. Over the years a series of improvements led the cars to go through Marks 1 to 8. They proved very popular in amateur hands as rally and circuit racing cars.


Adrian Evans (d. 1992), a structural engineer and the car's designer, built a series of cars called Davrian from 1965, based on components from the Hillman Imp, including the front and rear suspension, the {{convert|875|or|998|cc|cid|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Northey|1974|p=500}} aluminium alloy [[Hillman Imp]] engine which was [[Coventry Climax]]-based<ref name=Beaulieu>{{cite book |last=Georgano |first= G.N. |author-link= G.N. Georgano|title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |isbn=1-57958-293-1}}</ref> and the Imp transaxle.
In 1980, the Mk8 was offered as a complete car called the '''Davrian Dragon''' but the company was not sufficiently capitalised for this and unfortunately went into receivership in 1982. This car was subsequently relaunched as the '''Corry''' and the earlier more basic versions continued being made in the same premises but under new ownership as the '''Darrian'''.


===Corry 1983-1985===
==Davrian 1965–83==
{{Infobox automobile
|name =Davrian
|image =DavrianMk5Yellow.JPG
| manufacturer = Davrian Developments
|engine = 875 or 998 cc Hillman Imp
}}
In 1967, the design had settled to a 2-seat glass fibre [[monocoque]] coupé, officially called the Davrian Imp and series production started with a company being formed called Davrian Developments. The cars were sold in [[kit car|kit]] form. Over time, a variety of power units were offered including the [[Mini]]-engined Davrian Demon (mid-mounted),{{sfnp|Northey|1974|p=500}} [[Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Beetle Type 1]] (rear-mounted),{{sfnp|Northey|1974|p=500}} [[Renault]] (rear-mounted), and [[Ford Fiesta]] (mid-mounted). The car weighed in at {{convert|8|long cwt|lb kg|abbr=on}}.
[[File:1970 Davrian Mk.V (white), rear right.jpg|thumb|left|Rear view of a 1970 Davrian Mk. V]]
Over the years, a series of improvements led the cars to go through Marks 1 to 8. They proved very popular in amateur hands as rally and circuit racing cars.


In 1980, the Mk8 was offered as a complete car called the Davrian Dragon. This was mid-engined and used Ford Fiesta components and engine. The company was insufficiently capitalised for this operation, and went into receivership in 1983.<ref name=Beaulieu/> This car was subsequently relaunched as the Corry and the earlier more basic versions continued being made in the same premises but under new ownership as the Darrian.
The rights to the Dragon were bought by Will Corry and production transferred to [[Lisburn]], Northern Ireland, to be built by the newly founded Corry Car Company. The body was restyled by Tony Stevens. The cars were mostly sold for competition use but a few road going versions were made.


{{clear}}
===Darrian 1986 onwards===


==Corry 1983–85==
The Darrian was a revival of the original Davrian in the old factory. The body was considerably modified and the car became mid-engined. Bodywork was now glass fibre composite on a [[space frame]]. The engine was usually from a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], but the [[Rover car|Rover]] V8 or [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] 16 valve units were options.


The rights to the Dragon were bought by Will Corry and production transferred to [[Lisburn]], Northern Ireland, to be built by the newly founded Corry Car Company.<ref name=Beaulieu/> The body was restyled by Tony Stevens<ref name=Beaulieu/> and the name changed to the Corry Cultra.<ref name=AZ4580>{{cite book |last=Robson |first=G. |title=A–Z of British Cars 1945–1980 |year=2006 |publisher=Herridge Books |location=Devon, UK |isbn=0-9541063-9-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/azbritishcars1940000robs }}</ref> Ford engines and were used and the suspension was based on that of the Mk III Cortina. The cars were mostly sold for competition use, but a few road-going versions were made.
The company also built replicas of the [[Alpine-Renault A110]] rally car.

==Darrian 1986 onwards==

The Darrian was a revival of the original Davrian in the old factory.<ref name=Beaulieu/> The body was considerably modified and the car became mid-engined. Like the Davrian, the Darrian is built using a glass-fibre composite monocoque body construction. The engine was usually from a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], but the [[Rover (car)|Rover]] V8 or [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] 16-valve units were options.

In 1996, [[Swansea Metropolitan University|Swansea Institute Team Darrian]] (SITD) took outright honours in the Privilege Insurance [[British GT Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.darrian.co.uk/Darrian%20History.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705170950/http://www.darrian.co.uk/Darrian%20History.html | archive-date = 2008-07-05 | title = Darrian History | publisher = Darrian }}</ref>

The company also built a limited number of replicas of the Renault [[Alpine A110]] rally car, known as the Monte Carlo MC220 Berlinette.{{cn|date=May 2020}}

Now based in Llangybi, near Lampeter and owned by Tim Duffee, Darrians continue to be built and raced with great success, performing many giant-killing acts.{{cn|date=May 2020}} The current model is the Darrian T90GTR, usually fitted with the Millington 2.5 16v 4-cylinder racing engine producing 300BHP, mated to a Hewland transaxle.{{cn|date=May 2020}}

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{reflist|30em}}

'''Bibliography'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |editor-last=Northey |editor-first=Tom |contribution=Davrian: Something Special for the Enthusiast |title=World of Automobiles |year=1974 |volume=5 |publisher=Orbis }}
*{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Martyn Morgan |title=Davrian to Darrian : the illustrated history |date=2001 |publisher=Bookmarque |location=Witney |isbn=1870519655}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/NEW_DAV_REG/ The Davrian Register website]
*[http://www.john.rawlins.com/ndr1/ The Davrian Register website]
*[http://www.darrian.co.uk/ Davrian Cars]
*[http://www.darrian.co.uk/ Darrian Cars]
*[http://www.classic-kitcars.com/classic-kitcar-details.php?37 The Corry Cultra]


[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Kit car manufacturers]]
[[Category:Kit car manufacturers]]

Latest revision as of 13:06, 10 January 2021

Davrian Developments Ltd
Company typeBritish Sportscar Manufacturer
IndustryAutomobiles
Founded1967
FounderDavid Clarke and Adrian Evans (Dav-rian)
FateReceivership
Headquarters
Lampeter, Wales
,
United Kingdom

Davrian cars were built by Davrian Developments[1] at 65 North Street, Clapham in London, England, from 1965[1] to 1976, in Tregaron, Dyfed, Wales from 1976 to 1980 and Lampeter, Dyfed, from 1980 to 1983.

Adrian Evans (d. 1992), a structural engineer and the car's designer, built a series of cars called Davrian from 1965, based on components from the Hillman Imp, including the front and rear suspension, the 875 or 998 cc (53.4 or 60.9 cu in)[1] aluminium alloy Hillman Imp engine which was Coventry Climax-based[2] and the Imp transaxle.

Davrian 1965–83

[edit]
Davrian
Overview
ManufacturerDavrian Developments
Powertrain
Engine875 or 998 cc Hillman Imp

In 1967, the design had settled to a 2-seat glass fibre monocoque coupé, officially called the Davrian Imp and series production started with a company being formed called Davrian Developments. The cars were sold in kit form. Over time, a variety of power units were offered including the Mini-engined Davrian Demon (mid-mounted),[1] Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (rear-mounted),[1] Renault (rear-mounted), and Ford Fiesta (mid-mounted). The car weighed in at 8 long cwt (900 lb; 410 kg).

Rear view of a 1970 Davrian Mk. V

Over the years, a series of improvements led the cars to go through Marks 1 to 8. They proved very popular in amateur hands as rally and circuit racing cars.

In 1980, the Mk8 was offered as a complete car called the Davrian Dragon. This was mid-engined and used Ford Fiesta components and engine. The company was insufficiently capitalised for this operation, and went into receivership in 1983.[2] This car was subsequently relaunched as the Corry and the earlier more basic versions continued being made in the same premises but under new ownership as the Darrian.

Corry 1983–85

[edit]

The rights to the Dragon were bought by Will Corry and production transferred to Lisburn, Northern Ireland, to be built by the newly founded Corry Car Company.[2] The body was restyled by Tony Stevens[2] and the name changed to the Corry Cultra.[3] Ford engines and were used and the suspension was based on that of the Mk III Cortina. The cars were mostly sold for competition use, but a few road-going versions were made.

Darrian 1986 onwards

[edit]

The Darrian was a revival of the original Davrian in the old factory.[2] The body was considerably modified and the car became mid-engined. Like the Davrian, the Darrian is built using a glass-fibre composite monocoque body construction. The engine was usually from a Ford, but the Rover V8 or Vauxhall 16-valve units were options.

In 1996, Swansea Institute Team Darrian (SITD) took outright honours in the Privilege Insurance British GT Championship.[4]

The company also built a limited number of replicas of the Renault Alpine A110 rally car, known as the Monte Carlo MC220 Berlinette.[citation needed]

Now based in Llangybi, near Lampeter and owned by Tim Duffee, Darrians continue to be built and raced with great success, performing many giant-killing acts.[citation needed] The current model is the Darrian T90GTR, usually fitted with the Millington 2.5 16v 4-cylinder racing engine producing 300BHP, mated to a Hewland transaxle.[citation needed]

References

[edit]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e Northey (1974), p. 500.
  2. ^ a b c d e Georgano, G.N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
  3. ^ Robson, G. (2006). A–Z of British Cars 1945–1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  4. ^ "Darrian History". Darrian. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008.

Bibliography

  • Northey, Tom, ed. (1974). "Davrian: Something Special for the Enthusiast". World of Automobiles. Vol. 5. Orbis.
  • Jones, Martyn Morgan (2001). Davrian to Darrian : the illustrated history. Witney: Bookmarque. ISBN 1870519655.
[edit]