Mini Scamp
Mini Scamp is a kit car built by the Scamp Motor Company. The Mk1 Mini Scamp was built in 1969. Shortly after, BMC Mini Moke production stopped in Longbridge.
The first Mark 1 kits, which were styled similarly to the Mini Moke, were produced by Robert Mandry in Ottershaw, Berkshire, England. Parts from a Classic Mini were used with all its running gear and both front and rear sub-frames.
The Scamp body/chassis is made from a steel, square-tube, box section frame fitted with aluminum panels. Options included a van, estate, or pick-up body, four or six wheel chassis, and short or long wheelbase. Power units range from 850cc to 1400cc with a multitude of modifications. Nearly every Scamp is different, as most of the car is left up to the owner to complete.
The Mark 2 version was launched in 1978, which had a squarer body and stronger chassis, not using the mini rear subframe.In 1987 Scamp manufacturing and ownership was taken over by Scamp enthusiast Andrew MacLean, a retained firefighter from Turners Hill. A factory was set up in East Grinstead, Sussex but was moved to Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex.
The Mark 3 version started production in 1988 with demonstrator appearing in Kit Car and Mini magazines. The Scamp Mk3 GT Scamp appeared in Top Gear magazine. This was followed by a version built on either a Suzuki SJ chassis or the Daihatsu F50/F55. In 2011 the Scamp Motor Company acquired the manufacturing rights to the RTV, the Rough Terrain Vehicle.