Davrian to Darrian - The Illustrated History
Chasing a Dream
This is my first-ever book. I chose to write about Davrians and Darrians because I have been passionate about these cars, the Davrian especially, ever since my youth. The Davrian embodied all that was good about the Hillman Imp but was wrapped up in an exciting, stylish, rust-free and well-engineered monocoque bodyshell. I finally managed to join the band of Davrian owners, when in 2000 I was presented with a Mark 8 rolling shell by my father. Shortage of funds, family life, etc., have meant that its development is on-going!
Adrian Evans was the enthusiast and entrepreneur who created Davrian . He was one of the first to spot the competition potential of the Hillman Imp's Coventry Climax inspired all-aluminium engine and advanced transaxle. In 1967 he built 3 prototypes to take the Imps' running gear and power unit. Buoyed up by the success of these cars, he set up business in North Street in Clapham, where Davrian was based until 1976. Cars were mainly Imp inspired and Imp-derived, but towards the end of the Clapham years, some Mini-engined examples were produced. Functional, lightweight and strong, Davrians became a force to be reckoned with in competition. The Mark7a, the last variation of the marque to be produced at Clapham, was available with a choice of engines, typically Imp, Mini, Ford and Renault.
A move to Wales proved to be rather fraught, due to problems with acquiring premises. Nevertheless, orders were still met albeit over a protracted period. The Mark 7a was developed into the more refined Mark 8, the first car to be built at their new Lampeter factory. This was soon followed by the Dragon which was sold as a complete car, utilising Bridgend-built CVH engines. Interest in the company and the product was high, but over-extended and under-developed Davrian Developments folded in 1983.
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Approximately 350 examples were produced most of which are still with us today. Davrian's success in competition is outstanding. Throughout the seventies and well into the eighties it scored many outright wins, literally 100s of class wins, on the circuits, hill climbs and rallies. Many prestigious championships were won by these diminutive but big-hearted sports cars. A Davrian can still be relied upon for a class win today, especially if the circuit is twisty or damp when the excellent chassis excels.
Will Corry purchased the company in 1983 and changed direction with the unusual but ultimately unsuccessful Corry Cultra which was produced in Northern Ireland. In 1985 the company ceased trading but all as not lost for Davrian enthusiasts. Long time stalwart and in later years Davrian employee Tim Duffee working from his LLangybi base in Mid-Wales provided a spares and repair service for Davrian owners and enthusiasts.
Tim Duffee is responsible for taking the Davrian story into the Millenium. In 1985 he and his company Darrian Cars produced the stunning Darrian T9 which moved the goal posts forward but retained Davrian's underlying principles. The T9 gestated into the T90 in 1995. Darrians have excelled on the circuits and the rally stages and continue to do so. Recently, the MSA has granted Darrians eligibility for UK rallies. Darrian Cars continue to hone and develop these exciting cars.
