October 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Tornado Sports cars as a component car manufacturing business.
The company was formed by the Father and Son team of Alan and Andrew Sheldon initially to produce a replica of the McLaren M6 GT road car of the early 1970’s.
In 1989 a Ford GT40 replica was also introduced called the Tornado TS40.
Due to the high demand for the TS40 production of the M6 GT replica ceased in 1992 to allow for increased production of the GT40 replica.
In 1994 a steel Monocoque chassis version of the TS40 was introduced to compliment the existing steel space frame version.
In 1997 Father Alan retired and Andrew took full control of running the business.
In 1998 a new model called the Raptor V8 was introduced which was a wide body lotus 7 type car featuring fully independent suspension with disc brakes at all four corners. Engine options included Rover V8 and Chevy V8. One customer even fitted an Audi V8.
Production of the Raptor ceased in 2004 once again to allow for increased production of the TS40 GT40 replica car.
In 2008 development work began on an all new light weight Aluminium Honeycomb Monocoque chassis option for the now renamed TSC GT40 replica.
This was released in 2010 along with a Carbon Fibre Honeycomb version of the same chassis.
In 2011 a Ford Coyote powered version of all of the chassis options was introduced.
Tornado Sports cars were the first component car company in the World to offer the Coyote engine as an option and the first to fit the Coyote engine in a car not manufactured by Ford themselves.
In 2012 due to demand a GT40 MK2 version was added along side the existing GT40 MK1 version.
A list of firsts achieved by Tornado Sports Cars includes production of the replica cross over exhaust system, production of adaption hubs to easily convert bolt on to knock off wheels, Aluminium and Carbon Fibre Monocoque chassis and the use of the Ford Coyote V8 engine.
40 years in business now makes Tornado Sports cars the longest established component car manufacturing business in the World still owned and operated by an original founder.
We have now been continually manufacturing and developing GT40 replica cars, kits and parts for 35 years and in that time have developed the most extensive range of kit package options and parts available anywhere.
Our kits are the most comprehensive available and some packages even include the brake fluid.
If there is a part or accessory that can be fitted or used on a GT40 replica we almost certainly manufacture and supply it.
Tornado Sports Cars are without doubt the World’s leading manufacturer of Ford GT40 replica cars.
Here’s to the next 40 Years!
The company was formed by the Father and Son team of Alan and Andrew Sheldon initially to produce a replica of the McLaren M6 GT road car of the early 1970’s.
In 1989 a Ford GT40 replica was also introduced called the Tornado TS40.
Due to the high demand for the TS40 production of the M6 GT replica ceased in 1992 to allow for increased production of the GT40 replica.
In 1994 a steel Monocoque chassis version of the TS40 was introduced to compliment the existing steel space frame version.
In 1997 Father Alan retired and Andrew took full control of running the business.
In 1998 a new model called the Raptor V8 was introduced which was a wide body lotus 7 type car featuring fully independent suspension with disc brakes at all four corners. Engine options included Rover V8 and Chevy V8. One customer even fitted an Audi V8.
Production of the Raptor ceased in 2004 once again to allow for increased production of the TS40 GT40 replica car.
In 2008 development work began on an all new light weight Aluminium Honeycomb Monocoque chassis option for the now renamed TSC GT40 replica.
This was released in 2010 along with a Carbon Fibre Honeycomb version of the same chassis.
In 2011 a Ford Coyote powered version of all of the chassis options was introduced.
Tornado Sports cars were the first component car company in the World to offer the Coyote engine as an option and the first to fit the Coyote engine in a car not manufactured by Ford themselves.
In 2012 due to demand a GT40 MK2 version was added along side the existing GT40 MK1 version.
A list of firsts achieved by Tornado Sports Cars includes production of the replica cross over exhaust system, production of adaption hubs to easily convert bolt on to knock off wheels, Aluminium and Carbon Fibre Monocoque chassis and the use of the Ford Coyote V8 engine.
40 years in business now makes Tornado Sports cars the longest established component car manufacturing business in the World still owned and operated by an original founder.
We have now been continually manufacturing and developing GT40 replica cars, kits and parts for 35 years and in that time have developed the most extensive range of kit package options and parts available anywhere.
Our kits are the most comprehensive available and some packages even include the brake fluid.
If there is a part or accessory that can be fitted or used on a GT40 replica we almost certainly manufacture and supply it.
Tornado Sports Cars are without doubt the World’s leading manufacturer of Ford GT40 replica cars.
Here’s to the next 40 Years!
