Tornado Talisman Polycarbonate Windows

The Tornado Talisman is one of those forgotten British sports cars that deserves more attention than it gets. Built by Tornado Cars Ltd between 1961 and 1964, the Talisman was an attempt to create a lightweight, affordable, and stylish performance coupe that could go head-to-head with cars like the Lotus Elite and Mini Cooper S. Though it never gained mainstream success, it remains a rare and fascinating piece of British motoring history, offering a glimpse into what small manufacturers could achieve with a bit of ingenuity.
At its core, the Talisman was a fibreglass-bodied sports car, staying true to the kit car culture that was booming in the UK at the time. Unlike many kit cars, however, the Talisman was available as both a self-assembly kit and a factory-built car, allowing customers to choose whether they wanted to build their own or drive straight from the showroom.
The chassis was a steel backbone frame, giving it a surprisingly rigid structure, while the lightweight fibreglass body kept the weight down to around 680kg, making it incredibly nimble. Under the bonnet, Tornado offered a range of Ford-sourced engines, including 1.2-litre, 1.5-litre, and 1.6-litre Kent and pre-crossflow units, with power outputs ranging from 49 to 78 horsepower. While those numbers might not sound huge, in such a lightweight car, the performance was lively, with excellent acceleration and a sharp, responsive driving feel.
Where the Talisman really stood out was in its independent suspension setup. Unlike many small British sports cars of the era that relied on a basic live rear axle, the Talisman had fully independent front and rear suspension, giving it excellent handling and a refined ride for such a lightweight car. This setup made it a serious contender on twisty backroads and club racing circuits, where its nimbleness and lightweight design could outclass bigger, heavier rivals.
Visually, the Talisman was a handsome coupe with Italian-inspired styling, featuring a low-slung profile, a distinctive front grille, and a fastback rear end that gave it a sporty, purposeful stance. It looked like a mini Ferrari or Lotus, but at a fraction of the cost. Inside, it was basic but functional, with a simple dashboard layout, classic Smiths dials, and lightweight bucket seats that kept the focus purely on driving.
Despite its promising design, the Talisman never really took off. Tornado Cars was a small operation, and with competition from larger manufacturers like Lotus, MG, and Triumph, it was difficult for them to make an impact. By 1964, the company shut down, ending the Talisman’s production after just around 186 cars were built.
Today, the Tornado Talisman is an incredibly rare collector’s item, loved by classic car enthusiasts who appreciate lightweight British engineering and unique, hand-built cars. While it never reached the heights of Lotus or MG, it remains a brilliant example of what a small, passionate company could create in the golden era of British sports cars.
For those lucky enough to drive one today, the Talisman still delivers a raw, engaging driving experience, reminding us that sometimes, the best sports cars aren’t the ones with the biggest engines or the most famous badges, they’re the ones built with passion, ingenuity, and a pure love for driving.