History of Tornado Cars Ltd.

No other country had more entities involved in the manufacture of sports cars than
did England. Particularly immediately following World War II producing sports cars for export
offered the UK a responsible use for critically short raw materials, as well as a practical solution
for dealing with massive war debt. While we have all heard of Aston Martin, Austin Healey,
Cooper, Jaguar, Lotus, MG, Morgan, Riley Rover, Singer, Sunbeam and Triumph, these are but
a few of the famous. The roster of heavy hitters pales when compared to the unending list of
'SPECIALS' builders, who made up the so called 'cottage industries.' These included less famous
marques with names like Ashley, Fairthrope, Falcon, Rochdale, Turner and Tornado.

TORNADO CARS LIMITED may have been the most successful British 'SPECIALS' company
from that 1950/60's heyday. Two friends, Tony Bullen and Bill Woodhouse, started the company
at Catherstone in 1958. Their first model, the TYPHOON, was a great success. About four
hundred examples were produced. Coupling an old Ford 10 side-valved flat-head engine, with
an exotic, flamboyant fibre-glass body, and a purpose built chassis, they produced a sleek new
sports car at a moderate price. You could buy one completely factory built, or as part of a kit
to assemble yourself at home.

The shop was moved to larger quarters, and for time, they became a major employer in the small
town of Rickmansworth, Hertsfordshire. By 1960, spurred on by their early success, several
other models were added. These included the TEMPEST ( less than a dozen ), THUNDERBOLT
(just one), and even several SPORTSBRAKES to satisfy the hunters. The cars came in various
wheel bases, and as two seaters, four seaters, fixed head coupes and roadsters. They even had an
estate or station wagon (sort of). In late 1961 they produced their most civil and refined model, the
TALISMAN GT (about 300).

Based on price, clearly TORNADO CARS marketed their products at the common man. These cars
were simple (perhaps crude), but were very easy to work on, and very effective. They could
even be driven to work, used for shopping during the week...and then raced in competition on the
weekend. And you could win.

From top management to the lowest shop worker, everyone involved at TORNADO CARS LTD.
was a racer. The factory ran a Works Team that was heavily involved in various aspects of
Motor Sports. In 1960 a trio of Works cars made up of a TYPHOON, a TEMPEST and the
THUNDERBOLT took First Place in dramatic fashion in the Six Hour 750 M.C. Relay Race at
Silverstone. The President of the company, Bill Woodhouse drove the Tempest. Shop foreman Eric
Martin drove the Thunderbolt. The one off Triumph T.R.3 powered Thunderbolt anchored
the team's win, and was described in AUTOSPORT (August 1960) as "blindingly fast, but a real
handful to drive." The prestigous 750 M.C. Relat Race win was duplicated for TORNADO
CARS LTD. in 1963 by three brand new Talisman GTs.

Perhads they tried to do too much. Perhaps there were too many models too quickly. More likely,
racers make poor business men. But in 1964 production was suspended. The company went
through various new owners. All promised to restart production. The plant did operate continously
as a highly respected body repair shop until late 1986, but alas no more TORNADOS were built.

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