ASP 1300 'S': "An advanced Cox GTM and Terrapin"

There is some good news about the Mini based ASP 1300 'S' that resurfaced in Kansas, USA three years ago (click here). The car was sold to Jim Allen recently, who's started to recommission and who told me he is eager to find out who exactly designed and built it. I'd like to know, too.

With the car came some paperwork and particularly interesting is a letter from former UK based owner Stephen Langton, dated September 1983. In it he writes: "The name ASP does not stand for All Spare Parts, it's name is taken from the little snake that bit Cleopatra?! The car was built in 1965 and is totally unique (how about that centre back-bone cum fuel tank?). The Asp was an advanced design of the Cox GTM and the Terrapin, and was built to compete with the millions of rear engined Loti that were around at the time. That little car really could fly! I won many sprint and short circuit races with it, the handling properties are quite amazing, unlike some of the heavy metal that I race these days."

"The engine is very special, it's a works development unit of (from memory) about 105 horse power! It's a 1300cc Cooper S unit, and all the. normal Cooper parts fit it, i.e. rods, crank gears etc. The car originally ran on 13" Austin Healey wheels (Sprite), but the last time I saw t, it was on wide Mini alloys (didn't look so good)."

Interestingly, Jim also found a spare badge and noticed that on the back of it the name Cox GTM is visible. I don't see any relation to the Cox in the car's construction, but with both the letter stating it as well as with the badge I surely must be wrong here..?

The ultra-low ASP (or Asp?) 1300 'S' on Jim's trailer off to a new home

Picture Jim Allen

Without its front and rear bodywork it becomes clear the car is quite special

Picture Jim Allen

Nose section comes with windscreen

Picture Jim Allen

Note that the car's petrol tank is incorporated centrally in its chassis. Wow!

Picture Jim Allen

Cleaned and with the bodywork on again, it is now in Jim's garage

Picture Jim Allen

A spare badge of the ASP 1300 'S' hid a secret

Picture Jim Allen

On the back of it the words 'Cox GTM' become clear

Picture Jim Allen

The ASP when it was raced in the UK. What are this car's origins?

Picture courtesy Jim Allen