Futura (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Futura was a British automotive brand established by Robin Statham under the company Fellpoint Ltd, which was located in Penn, Buckinghamshire. The brand was active in the early 1970s and is primarily known for its unique vehicle design, which featured a wedge-shaped body.

The Futura was built on a Volkswagen Beetle floorpan, which provided a reliable foundation for the vehicle. Its design included a distinctive windscreen that hinged sideways, allowing passengers to enter the car by climbing over the front. This unconventional entry method necessitated the placement of the four headlamps behind the windscreen, a feature that ultimately conflicted with legal requirements. To comply with regulations, pop-up headlamp units were developed.

Despite the innovative design, the financial burden of further development led to the downfall of Fellpoint Ltd in 1971. The prototype of the Futura was dismantled, and its components were exported. In a later stage, two additional Futura bodies were molded, with one of them being exported in 1979. The brand's brief existence highlighted the challenges faced by small manufacturers in the automotive industry during that era.