Cheetah (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Cheetah was a British kit car manufacturer that operated briefly between 1984 and 1986. The company was based in Newcastle upon Tyne and later in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Cheetah occupied a low position in the British kit car industry, primarily due to the poor quality and design of its products.

The company's first model, the Mirach, was launched in 1984 and was reportedly inspired by the Lamborghini Miura. However, it was constructed using a mix of components, including a mid-engine from the Alfasud and parts from the Ford Cortina, which contributed to its subpar performance and build quality. Shortly after, Cheetah introduced the Mirach 2, which aimed to resemble the Miura more closely but still suffered from similar quality issues.

Cheetah also produced an AC Cobra replica known as the Vriper, which was criticized for its lack of accuracy compared to the original. Other models included the Shamal, a coupe designed to accommodate engines from Lancia, Alfa Romeo, or Ford, as well as the SV, a race-oriented vehicle based on Alfasud or Lancia Beta components, and a replica of the Ford GT40. Despite its attempts to enter the kit car market, Cheetah's offerings were often viewed as ill-conceived and poorly executed. The company ceased operations in 1986.