Then of course there was the great God Sydney Allard. HOW I lusted after a J2, a J2x, or a J2r - all US engined hybrids.

Oh, and did I mention Tornado Cars? I have been passengered in one of their little FIAT 500 with a big engine up the arse machines (start in 2nd, change directly into top, beat an E-type to 100) and it was truly "Light blue touch paper" territory. They also did a rather exciteable version of their Tornado Talisman GT toys - designed for the Ford 1600 engine (and round about 200bhp/ton with that - huge for those days) - endowed with the SP250 2500cc V8. That put it quite close to 300bhp/ton. Principal problem was the Triumph Herald swing axle rear suspension, which got a bit overwhelmed, but with the rear end lowered they were manageable.