Lomax (kit car)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Nigel Whall |
| Headquarters | Willoughton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire , United Kingdom |
| Products | Kit cars (Lomax 223, Lomax 224, Lomax Lambda 3/4, Lomax Supertourer) |
The Lomax is a UK-origin kit car that has been manufactured by several firms since 1982. It is characterized by a bespoke two-seat vintage fibreglass body mounted atop a Citroën 2CV or Citroën Dyane platform, offered in both three- and four-wheel formats.
History
The Lomax was initially launched in 1982 by Lomax Motor Co., based in Willoughton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, with Nigel Whall as the designer.
During the late 1980s, production was transferred to Mumford Motor Co. located in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, where it continued into the early 1990s. Later, manufacturing operations moved to Cradley Motor Works in Cradley Heath, West Midlands. By 2009, production was ongoing at their facility in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.
From the early 1990s onwards, the Lomax has also been distributed in markets such as the Netherlands and Germany.
Design
The vehicle's styling pays homage to the 1930s Morgan Three Wheeler. It incorporates a fibreglass body mounted on an unaltered Citroën 2CV or Dyane chassis and engine; however, later iterations introduced a steel tubular frame. The Lomax is generally presented as an open two-seat roadster.
The initial prototype developed in 1982 featured a custom four-wheel chassis derived from a shortened Citroën Ami wheelbase. Early "three-wheeler" models were actually equipped with four wheels, with rear wheels paired closely together, reminiscent of certain 1960s Heinkel bubble cars. Subsequent versions transitioned to authentic three-wheel configurations—two wheels at the front and one at the rear—to take advantage of reduced UK vehicle taxation. A four-wheel model utilizing an unmodified 2CV chassis was also offered.
Model designations signify the number of cylinders, seating capacity, and wheel count: typical examples are the 223 (two cylinders, two seats, three wheels) and the 224 (two cylinders, two seats, four wheels). Some variants incorporated Citroën GS/GSA engines and were labeled 424 (four cylinders, two seats, four wheels).
Weighing around , the Lomax with its 602cc powerplant delivers a maximum speed near , while fuel efficiency ranges between .
Variants
Notable Lomax models include:
- Lomax 223: Three-wheeled version
- Lomax 224: Four-wheeled version
- Lomax Lambda 3/4: Updated, more rounded designs of the 223 and 224
- Lomax Supertourer: Four-wheel model styled after a 1930s touring car; it retains the original 2CV cooling fan and heat exchanger rather than relying on simple air cooling
See also
External links
- Lomax Cars (archived June 27, 2023)
- Cradley Motor Works – Lomax manufacturer
- Lomax-Club (Germany)
- Lomax, Netherlands 2CV kit car club