Clan Clover

In 1982 Peter McCandless started a new company Clan Cars Ltd in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, taking advantage of government development grants for the area. He used body moulds from the English Clan Motor Company which had recently shut down production. 

The Clan Clover was the resulting vehicle ranging in price from £1,200 for a basic kit to £10,000 for a complete road ready car with new engine. This car, with an Alfa Romeo engine, was improved with disc brakes (from the MGB). Its pop-up lights, heavier bumpers, spoiler, 13-inch wheels and a dashboard from the Ford Fiesta, produced a sportier look. It is believed that six kits were sold prior to the production of approximately 21 fully built cars.

The car was available in two specifications, Clan E and Clan S. The E has 68 hp (51 kW) while the more powerful S has 78 hp (58 kW), enough for a top speed of about 180 km/h (110 mph). According to Clan themselves, it would only take 30 hours to assemble a kit. After Clan Cars closed, the body moulds were purchased by members of the Clan Owner's Club to be used to make replacement panels. Clan Cars ran into financial difficulties and went into receivership and ceased trading in June 1987.

Collection Number: HOYFM.2021.69