Merlin
Overview
1980-1985 Thoroughbred cars, Shoeburyness, Essex
1985 - Paris Cars, Southend, Essex
1992 to date Merlin Sports Cars, Southend, Essex
The 1930s-style Merlin roadster originated in the USA under the name Witton Tiger and suffered with a VW Beetle engine stuck in the tail. Although briefly offered here, the definitive UK verion was more suited to the domestic market. It had its own separate chassis and Ford Cortina MK III/IV/V parts. A 2+2 version called the Monro in 1983 was soon renamed the +2, and a Ford Sierra-based chassis option arrived in 1992. Lotus had some input on chassis design after early criticisms.
Source: The Beaulieu Encyclopaedia of the Automobile