The ELSWICK ENVOY
Shortly before the 1973 motor show, BLMC gained permission to add to their stand a curious but radical small car, created by the futurist designer William Towns (pictured below with his creation), and which he had christened "Townscar" (a neat pun on his name).
Conceived as a new Mini, the Townscar made good use of its alter ego's trademark 10" wheels and 848cc A-series engine with automatic transmission, along with the front and rear sub frames, although these were brought as close as possible to each other to shorten the wheelbase. The typically sharp lines announced that this was Towns' vision for a futuristic car (at least from a 1973 perspective).
In short, the concept was so interesting that BLMC patented the idea and bought the commercial rights, changing its name to Minissima to reinforce the message that this was their concept for a replacement for the evergreen Mini, which was by then 14 years old.
The Minissima's career as a showgirl lasted two years, as it toured around the various motor shows.
Despite the high levels of interest in the car, it would never enter production as the new Mini, partly because the Mini was BL's best-selling model and partly because to productionise it would have required costly supplementary development which British Leyland could ill-afford.
That innovative rear door caused the greatest problem of all. The British authorities would not allow this design feature without side doors because in a rear impact there was no alternative means of exit for the occupants. The construction of the vehicle was deemed dangerous and it was thought that serious structural failure would occur in the event of a crash. Another design failing is the total lack of practicality; as mentioned above, there was no luggage space to speak of, and the only ventilation was from a small window in the rear door.
A few years after the Minissima had disappeared from the motor show circuit, the design re-emerged as a prototype car for the disabled, adapted by engineering firm GKN Sankey.
In its GKN guise, the Minissima-based car had gained that all-important side-door
(on the nearside only) and GKN suggested three possible driving configurations:
The first featured a central driving position for an able-bodied driver, with accommodation for a wheelchair-seated passenger in the rear.
The second, the driving area was adapted to allow the car to be driven from a wheelchair, with entry via the side door and room for two passengers in the back.
The third configuration that was to have the most impact; it featured a central driving position in which a wheelchair user could simply enter through the back door using a fold-down rear ramp, and drive off.
The styling was toned down to suit mass production and regulations, and the back door widened for improved access. The prototype won a prestigious Design Council award in 1978.
But for whatever reason GKN Sankey did not produce the car.
It was not until several years later that the design finally bore fruit for its creator.
A bicycle manufacturer called Elswick bought the rights to the centre-drive GKN Sankey and set up a subsidiary.
Elswick Special Vehicles Ltd
They were to produce and market the car as the Elswick Envoy, launched late in 1981.
By this time, the Mini's 848cc A-series engine was out of production so this was substituted with the Metro's 1-litre A-Plus engine, again with automatic transmission.
Bearing in mind that large glass area, air conditioning was offered as an option, albeit a costly one. Another, more affordable options were the shock-absorbent bumpers which were undoubtedly more practical than the standard vestigial items moulded into the Envoy's bodywork.
Incidentally, that bodywork was made by Reliant of Tamworth the maker of small and ugly three-wheeled cars, because Elswick themselves did not have the facilities to make it.
This puts it in the same category as the Ford RS200, which also had a Reliant-made body shell. Of course, Reliant had also been responsible for that 1970s style icon, the Bond Bug, which was somewhat closer to the Minissima in concept, if not in execution.
Elswick Envoy price list, 1st October 1984
Basic car complete with four speed automatic gear box £7228.00
Extras Included
Metallic Paint £80.00
Power Assisted Steering £875.00
Powered rear door and ramp £890.00
Powered Wheel Chair £1296.00
air Conditioning £1200.00
Shock Absorbent Bumpers £175.00
Phillips Radio and Speakers £75.00
For the keen car spotter a few examples of these 200 rare beasts produced, may be seen driving around the England and Europe, It is also believed that 2 examples are running in the USA. So considering all its failings the Envoy should be remembered more fondly.
The same goes for the Minissima it was a brave attempt at replacing the Mini but like so many proposed Mini replacements, it lacked the Mini spirit which made the car so endearing. The only Minissima in existence now resides in the Heritage museum at Gaydon.