Page 71 - Mar2023

Known as the TMC Costin, the car was meant to
compete with the Caterham Super Seven and the
Westfield. Both of these automobiles were
derivations from the original Lotus 7. The Costin?s
standard engine produced a respectable 84 hp and
compared to the disappointing Shamrock could
reach 0-60 in just under 9 seconds. The company
said its maximum speed was 100 mph. A second
This time instead of dumping the bodies and the
engine , also by Ford , could be purchased as an
spare parts in a convenient lake, another
option. It went from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and
enthusiast, Daniel Panoz, came courting. He was
reached a top speed of almost 120 mph.
the son of an American businessman who just
Although the company said it had produced close happened to own a pharmaceutical business that
to 100 cars, that appears to have been marketing was based in Ireland.
exaggeration. The reality is that no more than 40
With financial backing from his father, Daniel
Costins were ever completed.
acquired both the plans and jigs for the Costin
Costins were not inexpensive. Although a kit chassis, as well as the complete parts for two
version could be bought for £3,000 , the base additional cars. He shipped all the material back
model retailed at £6,500 with the Ford Kent engine to the United States and hired two of the TMC
and around £8,000 with the higher performance engineers and brought them to the United States
Ford CVH engine installed. The company went as well. Panoz then established Panoz Auto
into bankruptcy in 1987. Development and used the TMC Costin's chassis
design as the basis of his Panoz Roadster.

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