The Ikenga was designed by 29-year-old Brooklyn-born, London-based, African-American advertising photographer David Gittens. Built with assistance from race engineer Ken Sheppard and North London body-builders, Williams & Pritchard, the Ikenga used the mid-engined chassis from a secondhand McLaren Mk1 racing car and was powered by a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 V8 engine. Plans to make the car with American backing fell apart, Gittens returned to the US and the prototype was seized by his main creditor, Copleys Bank.