The CRAZY RARE V8 Sports Car That You've Never Heard Of

In this Rare Cars documentary, we are jumping into the history of a car that truly so few people in the world know about - the Trident Clipper, Venturer and Tycoon. These British sports cars came with a variety of engines from the Triumph Inline 6 all the way up to the legendary ford 289 Hi-po V8 that was in the Shelby Cobras.
Learn all there is to know about the Trident Clipper, Venturer, and Tycoon in episode 55 of our documentary series on the world's most fascinating cars.
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*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!
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[@LordTwaddle]

I actually own a Trident and am in the process of having it fully restored, an early 1967 build car with a 302 V8

[@suffolkngood]

Are you the chap from Pistonheads ?

[@LordTwaddle]

@@suffolkngood could be yes

[@suffolkngood]

@@LordTwaddle Ah !! You haven't updated your thread recently your lordship !!

[@LordTwaddle]

@@suffolkngood I haven’t made a lot of progress on the car but this year a big step is coming

[@UberLummox]

Lucky to have found one! Bet I'll never find one here in the US of A.

[@adamweston4152]

Being from the UK i have known about trident car's for decades and have always admired them. I own a rare Welsh made car called a GILBERN INVADER MK3 and the GILBERN story is very interesting and you should consider making a video on their cars and history.

[@Suprahampton]

I was just about to Comment saying "do Gilbern" when I saw yours!

[@UberLummox]

Very cool car!

[@deansiracusa3966]

I can confirm that the 289 Cobra is much more practical, and actually more fun! The 427 is a monster and a challenge to drive at the limits of its performance.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

So true!! I am developing a plan for a Ferrari Dino replica (replica not a kit) and I am leaning towards a 289 or a 302 as the powerplant. I have been assembling a machine shop to support my soon to be KZbin channel. I do not know what to call it yet. I have sourced some truly incredible finds such as a 1940's Drill and tapping station that was used in the war and left in a closed machine shop for many many years. I saw it in the window when I was in high school and eventually was able to find the guy who owned the shop and purchase it. On Facebook marketplace I found a 1950's Bissel tire machine and several days later the actual balancer that went with the machine from someplace far removed from the first. I also found a burke number 4 milling machine but it needs lots of love and a work table. I decided I am going to build a Gingery style cast aluminum benchtop milling machine before I start my first project which is a one of a kind 1928 Morgan GN Special Brooklands style RIP hillclimb racer. There is only one in existence and Charlie Martin slings it around at top speeds looking dangerous. I am using an experimental opposed twin engine for the powerplant connected to an MG 4 speed gearbox and then to an MG differential with wire wheels. I will be starting as soon as it gets warmer out here in PA...

[@Krunch2020]

Why all of the kit cars are based on the big block is beyond me.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

@@Krunch2020 I am using an LT1 because I like the way it looks and I can mount a supercharger on it. When I build the Ferrari Dino I am going to use a 289 or a 302.....

[@leejankovskis7814]

I would imagine most motoring enthusiasts will have heard of Trident.

[@lancerevell5979]

I've been an auto enthusiast for decades, but don't recall the Trident. A nice looking car.

[@adamweston4152]

I've known about trident for decades and have always admired them.

[@freddysquirenaranjo4859]

Lived in Surrey in the 70's near Esher, used to see a bright yellow one and some other beauts on the road.... @@adamweston4152

[@rdspam]

Among the often-claimed “cars you’ve never heard of”, it’s certainly on the lesser known side.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Made in Ipswich.

[@arkhsm]

That original version looked mighty good, very slick !!

[@chowd.a.d.8309]

Great job. Rare cars worth looking in to can be Marcos GT, Gintetta G21, Tornado Talisman, Gordon Keeble. Britol 411. Happy days and all the best.

[@rarecars3336]

Great suggestions - added them to the list!

[@AMCmachine]

I wasn't too familiar with these, really interesting story. You have a really cool channel here and I've now subscribed. I love automotive history and learning about overlooked and offbeat stuff like this is a treat. Keep 'em coming!!

[@keinname629]

Really well done video! Thx.

[@rarecars3336]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@DavidJohnson-gh3si]

Thank you! That was my dream car in the late ‘60s after seeing it at Earl’s Court motor show

[@Porschedude8]

Jensen Motors would be interesting. Their models looked similar...

[@Krunch2020]

Jensen made luxury cars before the Jensen Healey parts bin fiasco. I can appreciate your comparison in looks with the Jensen C-V8.

[@UberLummox]

Great episode, thanks!

[@andybroer651]

Thanks for this video! Awesome video!

[@rarecars3336]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@alexportiiii6414]

super cool! thanks!

[@gzilbers]

I have a candidate for a car worthy of your review. A very unusual automotive story is the continuation of the Studebaker Avanti after production of the original Studebaker version ended after only a year and a half. Two former Studebaker dealers purchased the rights to the Avanti, and continued to produce it as a bespoke hand-built car. They seem to have succeeded where Trident unfortunately did not, by managing to produce and sell about 100-200 cars per year for nearly 20 years !

[@MachineintheMonkey]

The Windsor motors were great, you could jam them in anything and still go around a corner.

[@rarecars3336]

Absolutely iconic engine

[@icooper5236]

Always wanted a trident clipper ridiculous money to buy now

[@russcooke5671]

They also done them with a 3 litre v6 Ford engine. I’ve been in a Tuscan v8 fifty years ago. That was a very quick car. Even today it would still be a fast car

[@henryhol8538]

Remarkable! I saw and filmed one at Harpendens's Classics on the Common!

[@noduh736]

I like your videos but not the first time I have heard of any of them and seen several but I'm really into cars good work man most folks havent

[@Schlipperschlopper]

From 2027 onwards, driving a combustion engine will no longer be permitted outside of work and delivery journeys. The Federal Transport Tourism Emission Restriction Ordinance TEBBVO was also announced....is intended to remove all combustion engines commercial vehicles, construction machinery, agricultural machinery and even inland waterway vessels from the roads/waterways by 2035. Buses in cities (and all taxis) must be completely converted to electric drive by 2026 (EU regulation!)! That will be funny! Have you ever read Berlin leaks? It takes your shoes off! They're basically planning to demobilize under the guise of a campaign against "fun using fossil drive energy" in road traffic... the SOKO Autoposer is supposed to hunt down all fun fossil drivers in the future! This will be a STVO Stasi with BABVVO monitoring apps as a helper for controlling exhaust gas emissions.

[@noduh736]

@@Schlipperschlopper in what country cuz it won't fly in the United states

[@grahambell4298]

@@Schlipperschlopper This is just further proof that EU politicians are clueless idiots.

[@paulqueripel3493]

that Clipper at 5:20 looks a lot like a Bristol from the front. But the Tycoon at 7:40 seems to have been inspired by an Allegro.

[@DavidS94938]

Wow. Never heard of it before!

[@alistairbernard9574]

An Awesome Car Featured ❤

[@Chiellus11]

Well done ! I'd like to see some French cars, like the Mega Track, MVS Venturi, Talbot Tagora (or do you only do sports cars ?), Facel Vega etc.

[@michaeldmckenzie]

You might also want to consider a video about Monteverdi automobiles of Switzerland.

[@alunjones2550]

If only we could buy modern equivalents of some of these cars, today. I remember visiting the TVR factory back in the 90's. I just hope they finally get the new TVR on the road......

[@culcune]

Considering they are along the lines of kit cars, I am not sure what is the holdup! I don't mean that as an insult--the beauty of TVR was the fact that they were not overdone handbuilt exotic cars that cost $250k+ usd each. But rather fast cars that cost a lot less so were meant to be driven and thrashed. So, there should be no reason the newest prototype, the Griffith is taking so long. The engine is the tried and true Ford 'Coyote' engine. I seen no reason they couldn't already be sold in the US as 'kit cars' let alone anywhere else including UK.

[@tomthompson7400]

what a great looking car.

[@theflash1425]

Maybe you could do a video of the OTAS, one of which I owned in 1971. It was based on the Fiat 850 spider chassis. I recall that it was also available as an Abarth Scopione. I remember it being very cramped, even though I was only 5'-10" tall and 185 lbs. Also, how about the ASA 1000, one of which I also briefly owned? Love your channel.

[@73caddydaddy93]

There's a lot to like about these

[@christophecamus3295]

Very interesting video, great looking car, what a shame it didn't make it successfully

[@rarecars3336]

So True - would have been a great car if it had a real run at it!

[@dcanmore]

Panther Westwinds had some interesting luxury and sports cars in the 1970s and 80s, including the outrageous Panther Six. The company is still around today making armoured vehicles. Probably the most famous pop-culture Panther car is the one driven by Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) in the 101 Dalmatian movies, which is of course a Panther De Ville, a nice touch from the movie producers.

[@bokhans]

Elton John’s video “I’m still standing” features I believe his own Panther de Ville on the French Riviera.

[@rdolivaw4981]

Gilbern Invader Mk3 would be worth a video

[@johncarync]

Great video! It's rare that I don't know about a rare car, but I had not heard of this one. *RARE CAR SUGGESTION: Autodynamics Hustler*. I saw one in rough shape during a walk I took in my town. I thought, "It's a Lotus Ela...wait...what is that?"

[@robinoconnor1203]

You may wish to check out Panther cars. They were built by Bob Jankel in Byfleet England, very close to the old Brooklands race track. A slightly bizarre fact. The building was where the first Russian built Moskvitch cars were imported into the UK, By Thomson and Taylor. I had connections with both companies.

[@suffolkngood]

There were 5 at my local show ! It WAS in Ipswich, Suffolk though ( which is where they were based ! )

[@rarecars3336]

Wow that's like 10% of the accounted for ones that still exist!

[@gorrilaz-ck8xs]

One of these and a citroen Ds and I would be one happy person.

[@jpdj2715]

Cobra. Shelby "Cobra" IIRC was the name of the "427" (7 litres) model, not the 289 (4.74L). To fit the 427 engine, the AC Ace needed serious modification, and bigger wheels that could handle the much higher wheel HP and torque.The British AC Ace was Shelby's starting point in building his race cars with US engines. As the US have their Ford versus GM engine camps, Shelby first approached his favourite GM, but they showed him the door, and converted him into Fordite.

[@briansharp4388]

In highschool we had a teacher that had a terminal condition, so every year, he got a new jensen interceptor. If ya gotta go he said, go fast😅.

[@chrisw.1457]

i'm so impressed of rare, weird cars! i drive an amc pacer here in germany, look my avatar...

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Man I hate the title "car you've never heard of" when it's a car I've heard of a whole bunch of times. I know it's a nitpicky thing, but people appreciate the "you've probably never heard of" more. Most car bores have heard of Tridents. Oh but I do love them though 😍

[@Brangeta]

Vector M12 would be a fun car for you to talk about, if you haven't already

[@rarecars3336]

Thanks for the recommendation - definitely could be a great video!

[@shauntvr4312]

I have seen one a great car for the time

[@rarecars3336]

It was a super cool car!

[@Krunch2020]

The Fisker Ocean!

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

The Car that got worse and worse and worse and worse😮😮😮😮

[@hagerty1952]

Great video, but I had to LOL when you referred to Aston-Martin and Jaguar as "the giants." Yes, it's true in this context, but Toyota drops more cars off the dock every year than A-M produces!

[@david.m.304]

At 3:49, are those old Ford CORTINA rear lights??

[@grahambell4298]

Correct. Mk 1 Cortina to be precise. Story goes that when TVR were restyling their existing body to add a Kamm tail they had no idea what rear lights to use on the flat rear panel, but when leaving the factory one day the team found the rear end of a Mk1 Cortina facing them and had that 'Eureka!' moment.

[@david.m.304]

MANY THANKS for confirming my thought on that, sadly I'm at the age when I remember those Cortinas when they were new. Thanks again and take care. @@grahambell4298

[@grahambell4298]

@@david.m.304 Me too. Had one as my second car - but that was when they were just cheap bangers rather than classics. Wouldn't get one for fifty quid now. 🙂

[@322tor]

2:36 has Ford Capri (mark 1, i think) rear lights. Probably easy to come by (after an evening at the pub, and a screwdriver)

[@rarecars3336]

Great insights - thank you!

[@johnlaw4513]

You can always see one in the Ipswich transport museum.

[@LordTwaddle]

That’s the last one they built and it’s an American market specification car, plus it’s in a poor state of repair

[@jamiedriscoll9781]

Next: 1970 428 Mustang Twister Special. Only 98 made.

[@josvandencamp8441]

What about the Gilbern, Jensen or the Gordon Keeble?

[@davealexander5555]

I owned a TVR Tuscan. Ford 289 I wought it after it had rolled and taken the roof off. Was unable to get i fix it up, and finaly sold it. I don't konw how fast I would go, but it accelerated like nothing I had I drove it only once, in my 300 ft. 0-69-9 in that 300 ft.

[@See_more....]

I lived close to where Trident were based.

[@alphatrion100]

It doesn't LOOK better that a Cobra

[@rarecars3336]

No, it looks cool but certainly not better I agree

[@RCTPatriot75]

It certainly isn't better looking than a Cobra.

[@paulsmith2960]

Nice video.👍 Borrowed antiquated underpinnings and a parts bin raid. It ended up being one butt ugly car too. No wonder it didn't sell. I wonder how the TVR commissioned version looked. I prefer the Gordon Keeble but it's really a comfy GT rather than a sports car. If it's raw power you want then there's the AC 428 but it does have that big block inside, that as you say may not be to everyone's taste.

[@garyvigorito3289]

Bizzarini and Iso.

[@TerryBecker-bw1vx]

Let's not forget the Sunbeam Tiger! F 289

[@user-rs2qw7co2h]

Yes l knew of the 🔱 ❤ Gorden Kebble ❤ Montiverdie ❤ Iso Griffo ❤

[@LordTwaddle]

Did you know Trident was designed by the same people who did Monteverdi?

[@user-rs2qw7co2h]

@@LordTwaddle I do........now 😎

[@993isgawd]

Shame they couldn't recreate the prototype, particularly in the front, more closely. That initial concept is a real looker from head to tail, especially for the era. The front face of the production Clipper--however understandable as to WHY it was executed--is a significant aesthetic downgrade from what the prototype promised. Shades of the Edsel experience; how good a car looks--especially up front--seriously matters.

[@tvrduude]

Since I've owned TVRs (currently 6 of them) for 35+ years, I had to pop in to see if you said any different from what I knew. Well done! I even learned a bit of the later models! Tridents are basically scorned in the TVR community "post" Bill Lasts acquisition. I saw Martin Lilley (usually pronounced "Lily" like the flower.. at least all I've heard) at a USA TVR Woodwork event and he was no fan of Bill Last to be sure. Thanks again for another great vid!

[@rarecars3336]

Thank you for the correction on the pronunciation and the feedback, glad you enjoyed it! I would have to imagine Lilley would NOT have been too happy with having the Trident sorta scooped from under him

[@LordTwaddle]

I have a Trident and it’s fun to see TVR people recoil and grimace about them

[@Schlipperschlopper]

A Rover V8 would have been the better engine choice!

[@LordTwaddle]

Someone did swap a Rover unit into a Venturer a few years ago and I think it’s in Switzerland now.

[@rarecars3336]

It would have been especially with the aluminum block being lighter in the front

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@rarecars3336A Daimler SP250V8 Mini Hemi would also be a good choice!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@LordTwaddlegood choice

[@avmelidor]

They shouldn't have changed the initial car design

[@prophetsnake]

I have heard of it. Most people who are into old cars have.

[@rarecars3336]

I feel like an overwhelming majority of people haven't unless they are extremely into niche cars

[@prophetsnake]

@@rarecars3336 Yeah, sure. You also feel that it's crazy. Do you have any psychiatric credentials?

[@culcune]

It seems like British specialty manufacturers were meant to fail. Even ones that that had some success still failed (e.g. Jensen). Even when people tried to revive brands (e.g. Jensen) it seems they end up in 'receivership'--apparently there is a whole industry called receivership that bets on a business failing. What kind of money is in receivership?

[@robertwoodroffe123]

Looks like an Aston martin

[@adamweston4152]

It's Martin 😂.

[@williamfreeth4358]

made in Turret Lane Ipswich

[@LordTwaddle]

Early cars were Woodbridge. 1969 onwards was Ipswich

[@PeterLee-zn3jl]

Musical chairs..OOPS.. ! Looks good..BUT..NA...SORRY AND INSTEAD...THEY COULDNT FULFIL PROMISES.. OH MY

[@patk8417]

U. K. Manufacturers should avoid the use of TVR. That moniker is a guaranteed death sentence, both in the air, and on the ground! Anything approaching sea-worthyness with that name well more than likely sink faster than the Titanic :-(

[@bodgitscarper5353]

Question: when the first offer looked much better, Why would something so ugly be even considered, as for better than a Cobra or even challenge the cobras, not even close. The cobra is still going strong today, sadly the Trident not. Where is or was the competition exactly.

[@rarecars3336]

The first prototype did look better I think they changed it from a cost of production level to make it cheaper for the fixed headlight one

[@cindys1819]

Well its better looking than the old only-the-British-could -love-those-looksTVR. But its still a odd duck. It still has to have a wider, longer wheelbase footprint to be considered a first class product. And if you want a U.S. engine why in the world not an Aluminum GM Small Block which weighs the same and gives you real KILLER power!!!

[@grahambell4298]

There was an attempt to revive the Trident brand around the turn of the millenium with the involvement of Lola founder Eric Broadley. Called the Iceni, the car had a stainless steel chassis and a V6 engine from General Motors before being taken over by a company that planned to build it with a 6.6 litre turbo diesel V8.

[@rarecars3336]

I did see that in my research - potential different video topic!

[@jairusramos1389]

early?!?!!? nice

[@rarecars3336]

The First!

[@larryok8156]

Looks a lot like the Jensen in styling

[@neilcowan535]

'Adorned to' does not compute. :(

[@darticulate8751]

How about covering the 'Gilbert Invader' from Wales manufacturer of the 60's & 70's, also the low output car manufacturer like 'Ginetta', 'Gordon Keeble' and 'AC' cars Britains oldest I think British car manufacturer, also try 'Frazer Nash', ta!

[@rarecars3336]

Fantastic recommendations! I will definitely be adding these to the list!

[@donschutte1418]

All better than a Cobra and no one even heard of it ya ok

[@thebionicbassplayer]

There was a car called the Peel Trident, that looked like a ugly toy, but not remotely as cool as these. There are a ton of cars that were sourced with Ford engines that were produced in Great Britain, I recently saw a list of about 40 of them that would definitely classify as rare cars.

[@rocklamarre9717]

Puma cars

[@comjanatl]

wtaf you have 8hours of commercials on a 10minute show ... while i like your content this is off putting

[@robertthurston6858]

It sounds like you're talking though a tunnel or into round tube. You have a terrible recording environment or mic or both?

[@TheChill001]

AC cobra...when you ARE using it as an example of a rival, at the very least use the name the europeans used xD