Eagle SS: A Rare Icon of British Kit-Car History

Rare Icon - If I had wings... Fly high above the clouds. Hidden within the rich tapestry of the automotive world, certain names rise with a blend of creativity and ambition, even if they ultimately fade into obscurity. Eagle Cars Limited, a small English automaker, epitomized this mix. Its story, filled with innovations, challenges, and transitions, showcases a unique piece of automotive history that still intrigues enthusiasts today.

The Eagle SS (in pictured MkI model) lineage by Eagle Cars Ltd. gave a unique flair, blending British ingenuity with American boldness, manufactured between 1981 and 1998. (Picture from: NVAutomotive)

This British company was founded by Allen Breeze in Lancing, West Sussex, during the early 1980s. Initially, the company gained attention with its Jeep-inspired RV model. However, it was the Eagle SS, a striking sports car with gull-wing doors, that cemented its place in the automotive landscape.  

The Eagle SS (in pictured MkI model) drew its inspiration from the Cimbria, an American kit car derived from the British Nova. (Picture from: Auta5p.eu)

Breeze's vision was taken forward by Rob Budd, a skilled trials motorcycle rider who acquired the company in 1989. The company relocated multiple times, including a notable move to Storrington in 1988, reflecting the shifting tides of a business striving to stay afloat. The Eagle SS drew its inspiration from the Cimbria, an American kit car derived from the British Nova. This lineage gave the car a unique flair, blending British ingenuity with American boldness.

Manufactured between 1981 and 1998, the Eagle SS featured lightweight fiberglass-reinforced plastic (GFRP) bodywork mounted on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. This pairing offered a low curb weight of just 750 kilograms and promised thrilling performance. With a tuned VW engine, the car could achieve speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph), making it a standout option for kit car enthusiasts.

The Ford-based models of the Eagle SS MkII brought innovations like longer side windows. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Over the years, the Eagle SS saw three major iterations, each showcasing distinct improvements. The MkI version introduced a separate internal roll cage and ribbed sections on the trunk lid for enhanced airflow. The MkII brought innovations like longer side windows and Ford-based models, while the MkIII featured a taller roofline and integrated steel bars for added safety. The company even explored variations like a front-engined version with a tubular-framed chassis, incorporating Ford Cortina running gear and occasionally Rover’s robust 3.5-litre V8 engine.

The Ford-based models of the Eagle SS MkIII featured a taller roofline and integrated steel bars for added safety. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

Despite these efforts, Eagle Cars faced mounting challenges. Production had dwindled by the 1990s, and the company ceased trading in 1998. The molds and rights to the cars were scattered among various entities, leading to the gradual disappearance of Eagle SS components. The last documented sale of these molds occurred in 2012, yet their current whereabouts remain a mystery.

The Eagle SS MkIII version introduced a targa-roofed 2+2-seater variant, known as the '2 Plus,' to the lineup. (Picture from: RareComponentCars)

For all its promise, Eagle Cars Limited left behind a legacy defined by ambition and innovation. The Eagle SS, with its dramatic design and versatile configurations, remains a symbol of an era when small manufacturers dared to dream big. While only a fraction of the 680+ units produced remain, their enduring appeal serves as a testament to a company that dared to think differently. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | EAGLEOWNERCLUB | RARECOMPONENTCARS | WIKIPEDIA | CARTEFACTS | AUTA5P.EU | NVAUTOMOTIVE ]

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