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In the dictionary of Lightspeed Panels, LSR stood for Light Speed Roadster, and was indicative of a move towards a faster, more sporting Magenta. Thus it was a strict two-seater with bodywork developed from the BMC 1100 based car, notably having a new 'hole in the wall' front grille. The mechanical basis was different too: Ford Escort. The propshatf needed to be shortened but otherwise it was all standard gear. Performance was much improved and of course you got rear-wheel drive for a bit of fun on corners.
Production Years: 1979 - 1986
Production Numbers: Approx 40
At a glance th Sprint looked much like an LSR, but in fact it had a truncated front end with slightly different styling, and smaller 12in wheels - betraying the new choice of donor vehicle for the car, in the form of the Mini. Only the Mini front subframe was used; at the rear a special beam accepted Mini trailing arms and coil/spring damper units. The Sprint was a 2+2 seater with an optional hardtop, like the rest of the Magenta range.
Production Years: 1980 - 1986
Production Numbers: Approx 20
Lightspeed Panels made this car from 1972. It used a tubular steel chassis with integral rollover bar and mechanicals from the BMC 1100/1300. It even took its grille from the MG 1100. The traditional sports/buggy styling could seat four people. This car has proven ability in rally events, including the 1977 London - Sydney! Soft top could be supplemented with a hardtop. from 1977 you sould get a gullwing hardtop. In 1978 the chassis was improved and there was an option to use the BMC rear suspention without its subframe. The Hyrdolastic suspention was retained intact.
Production years: 1972 - 1986
Production Numbers: Approx 500
Magenta Tarragon
Magenta Tarragon TXR
No-one had really tried a hatchback kit car before Magenta. The Magenta Tarragon looked like a droop-snoot Allegro estate, and offered seating for four and a lifting glass hatchback. The mechanical basis was Escort Mk1/2, from which the windscreen was also taken. The parts fitted into a tubular steel chassis and the glassfibre bodywork was partly stressed. Trim and headlining were optional, as was a roll-over bar. Standard spec included a front spoiler, GRP bumpers, special glass and softer springs to match its lighter weight.
Production Years: 1982 - 1985
Production Numbers: Approx 35
This was the improved and expanded version of the Tarragon, which this model replaced. Designed from the outset for Capri mechanicals rather than Escort, the TXR's new chassis was considerably different. The rear bodywork had to be modified too, to make the 3in wider Capri rear axle fit, and the whole thing was much longer and wider - and therefore the new Magenta TXR was more practical and capacious inside. Unfortunately, the TXR never really got a chance to catch on, since within a year Yorkshire based Lightspeed Panels had gone by the wayside.
Production Years: 1985 - 1986
Production Numbers: Very Few.
2009 dates will be online soon.
November 12th/13th The Great Western Kit Car Show. Exeter
The information above was taken from: The Filby Files -Vol.2 Classis Kit Cars. Many thanks.
If you are a Magenta owner but do not belong to the Register, please e-mail Simon at simcap@sky.com
This site is run, maintained and edited by SimCap. If you have any information you would like added to this site, please email simcap@sky.com
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