Air Ace Don Bennett decided to build low priced sporting cars from Chalfont St Peter in 1954. Seeking to achieve 60mph and 60mpg the Fairthorpe Atom mounted a motorcycle engine in the rear of a 2-seater coupe, and in 1957 this was replaced by a front-engined Atomata. Both these cars sold in low numbers. But Don Bennett was also working on a more sophisticated car built around a Coventry-Climax 1098cc engine, a new chassis and a the Microplas Mistral body bought in. This car was the 1956 Fairthorpe Electron which did well on the race track but was too expensive to sell in numbers. In 1957 Fairthorpe launched a cheaper version; the Electron Minor; which saved money by using a tuned Standard Ten engine and transmission. The Electron Minor was good enough to stay in production until 1973 with upgrades in engines, brakes and chassis from the Triumph Spitfire and GT6. No Fairthorpe cars have been produced since 1976.
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1958 - badge on nose
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1960 - badge on boot
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1961 MkII - badge on bonnet
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1964 MkIII. In 1963 the Fairthorpe EM III was launched with the 1,147cc Triumph Spitfire engine
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1957. Launched in 1957 the Electron Minor had a Standard Ten 948cc ohv 4-cylinder engine. The odd triangular-shaped grille was revised in 1958
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1958. From 1958 the Electron Minor was given a new nose with relocated headlamps and a less triangular grille. The Standard Ten engine remained.
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1957. Launched in 1957 the Electron Minor had a Standard Ten 948cc ohv 4-cylinder engine
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1957. Early Electrons were based on a Mistral body by Microplas who were pioneers in fibreglass car bodies. A ladder chassis underpinned the body
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1960
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1961 MkII. From 1960 the Electron Minor had a wider ladder chassis and a revised nose
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1961 MkII. From 1960 the Electron Minor had a wider ladder chassis.
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1964 MkIII. In 1963 the Fairthorpe EM III was launched with a new tubular steel chassis, and was fitted with a Triumph Spitfire engine
Turner Cars
Fairthorpe Electron Minor 1961 MkII. From 1960 the Electron Minor had a wider ladder chassis and a revised nose
