Is there such a thing?

[verytalldave]

As a truely British car any more?
A car that has all its major components MADE (not just assembled) in Britain?
TVR was the last one I can think of, but of course they are no more.
Morgan?
Bristol?
Noble?
??????
If the answer is in the negative, what a sorry state of affairs.

Just wondered...............

 

[LeighW]

Caterham? Do they still use the rover K series engine?

AFAIK, Bristol use american V8s and V10s, and I think Morgan use BMW engines, not sure though.

 

[BlackC55]

Reliant?

 

[BTB 500]

Westfield?

The lot that make black cabs (although the engines almost certainly UK made)?

Not sure who actually owns any of these companies though.

 

[verytalldave]

Caterham? Do they still use the rover K series engine?

AFAIK, Bristol use american V8s and V10s, and I think Morgan use BMW engines, not sure though.

I believe the Caterham "Classic" still uses the 1.4 K series engine.
Is that still MADE in the UK?
What about the gearbox, diff and brakes?

 

[vijilants]

What about the Ariel Atom ?

 

[verytalldave]

Reliant?

I am pretty sure Reliant went to the wall several years ago.

 

[verytalldave]

What about the Ariel Atom ?

Most use a Honda engine.

 

[crockers]

What about the Ariel Atom ?

Doesn't that use a Toyota engine? Same as Lotus

 

[verytalldave]

Westfield?

The lot that make black cabs (although the engines almost certainly UK made)?

Not sure who actually owns any of these companies though.

The Westfield X1 uses an A series engine. All the others use either Ford, Suzuki or VAG engines (I think).
Whether or not this old BLMC series A engine is still made in the UK is point in question.

Of course, this car is only available in kit form, so doesnt really count anyway.

 

[verytalldave]

Doesn't that use a Toyota engine? Same as Lotus

Not according to the Ariel website. Unless I had read it wrong (no surprise there).

 

[imadoofus]

Morgan also use Ford engines.
LTi (Taxis) usa a VM Motori Engine form Italy


But back to Dave's question: I'm pretty sure that no manufacturers have all their major components MADE, rather than just assembled in Britain. To qualify: things like the Westfield are a kit. If you include kit cars, then there are plenty that have entirely British components. It also depends upon what you define as 'major'

 

[crockers]

Not according to the Ariel website. Unless I had read it wrong (no surprise there).

Opps read Honda for Toyota..lol

 

[grober]

The closest you can get ironically are probably some models in the the Japanese marques Honda,Toyota and Nissan who all have major production facilities in the UK. Whether their content is 100% British I don't know but the logistics of transporting their major components 1/2 way round the world would be expensive ? Maybe Landrover or Jaguar also altho there's a mishmash of BMW/FORD bits in there and we all know that things are going to change there in the long term!

 

[verytalldave]

The closest you can get ironically are probably some models in the the Japanese marques Honda,Toyota and Nissan who all have major production facilities in the UK. Whether their content is 100% British I don't know but the logistics of transporting their major components 1/2 way round the world would be expensive ? Maybe Landrover or Jaguar also altho there's a mishmash of BMW/FORD bits in there and we all know that things are going to change there in the long term!

I would very much doubt that the engine/head blocks or gearbox housings etc are produced here. I wouldnt mind betting that the basic castings are imported and machined here - maybe.

 

[television]

And Bristol ????

 

[verytalldave]

And Bristol ????

Chrysler engines/gearboxes rules them out I am afraid.

 

[verytalldave]

Morgan also use Ford engines.
LTi (Taxis) usa a VM Motori Engine form Italy


But back to Dave's question: I'm pretty sure that no manufacturers have all their major components MADE, rather than just assembled in Britain. To qualify: things like the Westfield are a kit. If you include kit cars, then there are plenty that have entirely British components. It also depends upon what you define as 'major'

As you say, kit cars cant be included for obvious reasons.
As far as what I would say constitutes a "major" component would be the engine block/head, gearbox, diff and/or transmission and the main bodyshell. Minor parts like interior fitments, starter motors, lamps/bulbs, tyres etc, could very well be sourced/made overseas, as they always have been.

 

[grober]

I would very much doubt that the engine/head blocks or gearbox housings etc are produced here. I wouldnt mind betting that the basic castings are imported and machined here - maybe.

This plant description for NISSAN might help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Motor_Manufacturing_(UK)_Ltd#Plant_functions but I notice they don't make their diesel engines in the UK. I would guess they are made in France??

 

[verytalldave]

This plant description for NISSAN might help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Motor_Manufacturing_(UK)_Ltd#Plant_functions but I notice they don't make their diesel engines in the UK. I would guess they are made in France??

So a rather strange twist of fate exists whereby the (only?) maufacturer of cars in Britain is not British.