Winds of Change - The Tornado Cars Story
One of my first commissions as a freelance motoring journalist was to write about post war 'Specials'. This period of motoring was a quirky, hands on, nuts and bolts time when people literally created cars in their back gardens, lock-up garages and sometimes by the side of the road. There was a wonderful spirit of optimism and creativity which captivated me. Tornado Cars embodied this creativity but there was an engineering excellence about this marque that also appealed. I wrote this book to coincide with the company's 50th Anniversary and to ensure that the story of this innovative marque was fully documented.
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In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Tornado Cars was one of Britain's leading specialist car companies. It rose to prominence thanks to the quality of its products and the drive and determination that was exhibited by its founders Bill Woodhouse and Anthony Bullen. Tornado Cars produced a number of exceptionally good cars that were extremely well engineered and could rival mass produced mainstream products. Tornados offered style, lively performance great road amnners and a degree of exclusivity.
Drawings by an Enthusiast.
1. 'Black Pig' -Thunderbolt Replica, 2. Typhoon Sportsbreak,
3. Typhoon, 4. Talisman
Successful businessman and Jaguar racing driver John Bekaert purchased the company in 1964. it was under his ownership that the Talisman-Daimler V8 and the fearsome Tornado-Fiats were produced.
Bert Wood bought Tornado Cars from Bekaert in 1966. Although no new cars were built his company continued to supply Tornado owners with spares, repairs and assistance. New models were mooted, and relocation considered but sadly Bert died in 1977 before his plans came to fruition. The Tornado name was eventually sold in 1985.
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This is a very enthusiastic and friendly club and includes most small production manufacturers and mainly fibreglass bodied cars from the 1950s and 1960s. These include Turner, Tornado, Rochdale, Ashley, Edwards Brothers(EB) and other Historic Specials. Dave Malins, is the Marque Registrar within the club and runs his own very informative and interesting site for Tornado Cars....just click on the Tornado link on the Fairthorpe Club homepage. |
1950s specials.com Rob Daniels developed this site to list all the companies involved in the do-it-yourself car building craze during the ten years from 1954-1964 which became known as the Specials Movement. It gives lots of details and pictures of the 100 or so different body styles that were available at the time. |
Croxley Launch - The Sportsman Pub
Those of you who live near Rickmansworth will be aware of the fun we had at the 'launch' of my book at the Sportsman Pub, Croxley Green on the 16th September. I would like to say a big 'Thank you' to Jason and his staff for giving us such a warm welcome.
Some of the key people involved in the company and the production of these innovative and charismatic cars came along and it was good to see everyone 'catching up'. Bill arrived in his Talisman, Eric and his son David brought along the racy Competition Tempest, the beautiful 'Strawberries and Cream' Typhoon, and a rather nice Talisman. Dave Malins, Tornado Registrar, who was instrumental in organising this event, came along in his unique fastback. These cars parked outside the pub certainly caused plenty of interest and excitement amongst passers by.
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The Tornado Cars Company was based at 80 Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth. Currently the site is occupied by Fairway Tyres. However, there is still a link with the past as the modern building from which this company operates is called Tornado House!
(L-R) Company director Colin Hextall chats with company co-founder Bill Woodhouse whilst workshop foreman 'catches up' with employee Mike Hutchings.