Ranger Cub

My 1978 Ranger Cub kitcar

This is a three-wheeler kitcar built in 1978, it has a front subframe from a Mini and a single trailing rear wheel, connected by a very simple chassis   It is believed that only 18 cars were built, and only 6 survive in the UK.  This is one of only two that are still registered and only still in use on the UK roads.

It is fitted with a 1098cc A series engine taken from a Vanden Plas Princess (ADO16) this has a 64.56mm bore and 83.8mm stroke.  It is fitted with a 1¼" SU Carb and a Les Leston ram pipe, producing an estimated 46 hp / 60 lbs/ft.

The Cub was designed by Eric Joseph Salmons, and built in "The Old Corona" a disused 1920's cinema in Leigh-on-Sea that was supposedly haunted! The Cub's economical factor was used as an important selling point and the advertisements mentioned it over and over again. The brochure mentioned: "Its unique ace proven third wheel system comes from one half of the existing Mini suspension, all extra components and assembly instructions are part of the "Cub" kit." At the time the cub could be driven on a full motorcycle license and cost £10 a year for roadtax. According to Ranger Automotive, the build time was a matter of hours, with no specialised knowledge required, although this might have been a tad optimistic.

The original kit cost £265, and required the front subframe, the left rear trailing arm, and the rear bench seat from old 848cc Mini for the mechanical parts. The chassis is constructed from 14 gauge 1½“ box section. The fuel tank comes from the van/estate/pick-up variant, however the saloon tank could be used.
The cubs were available in 6 colours, Sebring white, Jet black, Ranger red, Royal blue, Maize yellow and Le Mans green.