Africar (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Africar was a British automotive brand founded by Anthony Howarth in 1982, with operations primarily based in Coalville, Leicestershire. The brand aimed to produce affordable vehicles suitable for developing countries, often referred to as "Third World" cars. Africar's development included a highly publicized expedition in 1984, where three prototypes were driven from the Arctic to the Equator, showcasing the vehicle's potential.

The design of the Africar allowed for a variety of body styles, including saloon, estate, pick-up, and coupé. The construction method utilized layered plywood and epoxy resin, reinforced with steel subframes and a roll cage, which aimed to minimize the need for skilled labor and expensive chassis jigs. The vehicles were designed to be versatile, with all-wheel drive capabilities and plans for configurations such as 4x4, 6x6, and even 8x8 versions.

Suspension systems featured front leading arms and rear trailing arms, utilizing Citroën-type nitrogen gas spheres for improved ride quality. Initially, the prototypes were equipped with Citroën engines, but later iterations incorporated Volkswagen 1.7-litre fuel-injection and Subaru engines. There were also ambitious plans for developing proprietary powerplants, including a flat-four design with rotary valves and an air-cooled supercharged engine with options for petrol or diesel fuel.

Despite its innovative approach and initial enthusiasm, Africar ultimately did not achieve commercial success, ceasing operations around 1988.