After World War II, Welsh aircraft engineer Jack Turner began building his own hill climb and racecar “Specials,” which by 1950 resulted in the construction of his first sports car for the street. Turner’s premise was that there was a market in postwar Britain for a very simple, inexpensive sports car that, in the words of Turner, “any young man could afford.” The result was the 803, a small sports car that featured a BMC A-series engine and one of the very first fiberglass bodies on a sports car. Not only did the new Turner prove to be popular as an affordable street car, but it also quickly proved itself to be a competitive racecar, as well.
Over the next 10 years, Turner went on to produce approximately 685 examples, which over time, evolved into various models with a selection of small displacement engines such as the BMC “A,” the Ford 1500, and the Coventry Climax FWA/FWE to choose from. However, by the mid-’60s, ill health and financial pressures eventually forced Turner to close his doors, ending another chapter in the fascinating story of the cottage automotive industry in Britain.
This month’s featured Web site is both a registry and information source for these diminutive British sports cars. Some of the site’s features include: a registry with photos and info on several hundred surviving Turners; a very useful archive of articles written over the years on Turners; listings of technical specifications and production numbers; an events listing; cars and parts for sale; as well as a message board/forum for owners and enthusiasts to share information and questions.
