The prototype
1980 Kougar Monza Roadster

• Aluminium-bodied prototype
• Built by the factory
• Ford Essex 3.0-litre V6 engine
• Rebuilt by Jim Stokes Workshops in 2012/2013

Since its introduction almost 50 years ago, the Kougar Sports has represented the opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire a traditionally styled sports car, reminiscent of a Healey Silverstone of Frazer Nash TT Replica, built using relatively modern automotive technology. Beautifully finished and necessarily very expensive (over £3,000 at time of launch or getting on for £24,000 in today's money) the Sports was originally based on Jaguar S-Type components, with Rover's V8 becoming a power-plant option in the 1980s, but was later offered in Jaguar XJ6-based form only. The chassis was a tubular spaceframe around which was wrapped door-less, two-seater coachwork in glassfibre, the prototype having been aluminium. Whether constructed in six- or eight-cylinder form, the lightweight Kougar possessed formidable acceleration and afforded owners an involving and exciting driving experience.

Clearly inspired by Ferrari's front-engined sports prototypes of the mid-1950s, Stevens' second design, the Kougar Monza, first appeared around 1980, the example offered here - chassis number '1001' - being the prototype. Initially developed to use Ford engines, the Monza was later revised to take Jaguar components, as the Sports had been, with a few using Rover V8 or Jaguar XK six or V12 engines. Approximately 40 Monzas were made, with most finding customers on the USA's West Coast. According to the Kougar Owners Club, around 60% of Kougar production was sold as kits, the remaining 40% being complete cars supplied by the factory.

This prototype's aluminium body was built by Aubrey Finburgh, whereas the production versions were bodied in glassfibre. The Monza is powered by a 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6 engine and has a five-speed manual gearbox, while Borrani aluminium wire wheels and period dashboard-mounted stopwatches are other features of note. It was fully restored by the Jim Stoke Workshops Group in 2012/2013 and is described by our vendor as in generally excellent condition. Restoration invoices and a photographic record on CD are available, and the car comes with a V5C document.