RareONES - Every time we exploring the cyberspace up to corners, we always find a unique figure of automotive creations is rarely seen and known by people. So, this time, again we've found the unique GTM Libra sportscar that we've never known and seen before, it made by a British manufacturer named GTM (Grand Touring Mini) Cars Ltd.
The GTM Libra is debuted at 1998, and was targeting a niche market for more affordable compact sports cars as similar size to the Lotus Elise. (Picture from: AutoBild.de)
The GTM Libra has old-fashioned nose similar to a 70s sports car, round headlights and fog lights, an air intake that looks like the mouth of a catfish. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Even though it was developed as a kitcar, Libra has an appearance that is no less beautiful than the similar-sized intact sports car made by a well-known manufacturer. It can be described visually, this compact-sized British sports car has a length of about 3.56 m, width of 1.65 m, height none less of 1.15 m and a wheelbase of about 2.32 m.
The GTM Libra has an appearance that is no less unique and beautiful than the similar-sized intact sports car made by a well-known manufacturer. (Picture from: BradleyJamesClassics)
Before launched, the car was developed for about three years by GTM Cars directors Peter Beck and Paddy Fitch, in collaboration with designer Richard Oakes and suspension designer Bryn Davies. As quoted from Wikipedia, the Libra was launched on the UK kitcar market back in 1998, and it seems that the automaker was targeting a niche market for more affordable compact sports cars as similar size to the Lotus Elise.
At first launched, the GTM Libra was initially powered by an 1.4 liter Rover 'K'-Series engine. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Though the GTM Libra was conceived as a compact-sized sports car, but the auto maker still maintain to strive for the lightest possible weight, for that why the car does not use subframes for its suspension system, instead all the mounts are bolted directly to its GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) monocoque body.
It uses unequal length wishbones of GTM design at the front occupying uprights from the Rover Metro/100 range and a forward mounted steering rack for extra legroom. While the rear suspension is an unusual double trailing arm design, bolted to the rear bulkhead and using the same uprights as the front.
The GTM Spyder launched in 2000 as the Libra' convertible version, no wonder if it carried detail components used on the Libra, plus many more that have been made specifically for the mid-engined convertible. (Picture from: Diseno-Art)
At first launched, the GTM Libra was initially powered by an 1.4 liter Rover 'K'-Series engine, later also it has been fitted successfully with 1.6, 1.8, 1.8 VVC and KV6 2.5 liter Rover engines as well as the Toyota 2ZZ-GE, some Honda units and the Audi 1.8T turbo engine.
The GTM Spyder was completely styled by Richard Oakes in further two years development to create it to be a such true British open top sports car. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Then the GTM Libra's engine or transmission unit is held in a frame hanging off the rear bulkhead, a frame which also locates the rear hinging engine cover which incorporates a sizeable boot which can accommodate a full size set of golf clubs.
There is nothing special about the interior of the GTM Spyder where the dashboard is filled with only a steering wheel and a simple instrument panel with three main car's gauges. (Picture from: CarEnthusiast)
The front 'clamshell' conceals the radiator, battery, master cylinders etc. and also manages to stow a full size spare wheel (either 16" or 17"). Meanwhile its removable roof panel can be stowed behind the seats for an open top driving experience.
The GTM Spyder is the most dramatically changed moulding requiring major modifications to the closed box sections within the tub to replace the rigidity lost from removing the roof section. (Picture from: CarEnthusiast)
Not only that, by benefiting from the engineering which had been developed during the creation of the Libra, the manufacturer launched its convertible version called GTM Spyder in 2000. Many of the detail components used on the Libra are carried through into the Spyder, plus many more that have been made specifically for the mid-engined convertible.
Just like Libra, the GTM Spyder was completely styled by Richard Oakes in further two years development to create it to be a such true British open top sports car. The central monocoque of the GTM Spyder is the most dramatically changed moulding requiring major modifications to the closed box sections within the tub to replace the rigidity lost from removing the roof section.
Further strengthening to the floor pan was added along with a redesigned rear bulkhead. In all about 30 kilos have been added to the weight of the central tub, unfortunately the additional strengthening and modifications to the rear bulkhead have removed the option of fitting the most powerful 2.5 litre V6 engine.
Actually Libra is not the only kitcar model from the British automotive company that has been established since 1967, there have been several other models ever made such as the Cox GTM Coupé, GTM Coupé, GTM Rossa, and others. In fact, Libra is the most famous and successful in terms of sales among the models that have been produced by GTM ever.
Further strengthening to the floor pan was added along with a redesigned rear bulkhead. In all about 30 kilos have been added to the weight of the central tub, unfortunately the additional strengthening and modifications to the rear bulkhead have removed the option of fitting the most powerful 2.5 litre V6 engine.
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