Challenger (United Kingdom)

Challenger was a British automotive brand that operated primarily during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The brand originated from the Triple C Car Care Clinic, which was established in 1985 in St Austell, Cornwall. In 1987, the company transitioned to producing the Triple C Challenger in Corby, Northamptonshire, marking its entry into the kit car market.

The Challenger aimed to provide a replica of the Jaguar E-Type Roadster, a vehicle that had garnered significant admiration. Initially, the design utilized Ford Cortina components, which compromised its authenticity. However, in 1986, the company introduced a Jaguar-based chassis that improved the replica's fidelity to the original design. The Challenger offered options for either a Rover V8 or a Ford V6 engine, enhancing its performance and appeal. In 1991, a lightweight version of the E-Type replica was launched, further refining the brand's offerings.

In addition to the E-Type replica, Challenger also developed the Malibu, which was alternatively known as the Tiger or Marathon. This model was a Ford-based estate car kit that bore a resemblance to the Mitsubishi Shogun and was available in both two- and four-wheel drive configurations. The brand briefly produced the NG TF as well. In 1993, the production of Challenger moved to the Reiver Motor Car Company in Newtown St Boswells, Roxburghshire, and later to Avon Coachworks in Bath, Avon, where it continued to operate. The Scottish firm that took over also produced the Ecosse, a wide-arch version of the E-Type, and an A.C. 428 replica, although it is unlikely that many of these kits were sold.