Clan Crusader Polycarbonate Windows

The Clan Crusader might not be a household name like a Ford Escort or a Lancia Delta, but in the world of lightweight, rear-engined rally screamers, this little British underdog punched well above its weight. Built in the early 1970s by ex-Lotus engineers, the Clan Crusader was designed to be a pure driver’s car, small, agile, and powered by an engine in the back, just like the rally-dominating Alpine A110.
At its core, the Clan Crusader was a featherweight fighter. With a fibreglass monocoque chassis and a curb weight of just 600kg, it didn’t need crazy horsepower to be quick. Under the rear hatch sat a 998cc Hillman Imp engine, a high-revving, rally-proven little unit that gave the Crusader the perfect power-to-weight balance. What it lacked in outright grunt, it made up for with agility and a near-perfect weight distribution that let it dance through corners like a proper rally car.
Rally teams quickly saw the potential. The Crusader’s lightweight body and Imp-derived running gear made it a natural fit for rallying, especially on tight and twisty tarmac stages where its compact size and nimbleness could outclass bigger, more powerful competitors. In the early ‘70s, the car saw action in club-level and national rally events, where it regularly embarrassed more established names.
One of its biggest strengths was its ability to stick to the road. With its mid/rear-engine layout and low centre of gravity, it had incredible traction, especially on dry tarmac. It didn’t have the brute force of Escorts or Sunbeams, but its Lotus-inspired engineering meant it could carry speed through corners that heavier cars had to brake for. That made it a real underdog threat in its class.
Despite its performance, the Clan Crusader never became a mainstream rally weapon. The company struggled financially, and after only around 350 were built, production came to an abrupt halt. But its impact on rallying and the lightweight performance car scene remained. Those who drove it knew it was something special, an enthusiast’s car in the purest sense, built for the love of driving rather than mass-market appeal.
Today, the Clan Crusader is a rare sight, but its cult following remains strong. Classic car rallies and historic motorsport events still see the occasional Crusader out on the stages, proving that even decades later, this tiny British machine can still put up a fight. If you ever spot one, consider yourself lucky, you’re looking at one of Britain’s best-kept rally secrets.