October 2024 marked 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 seventies. In 1989, a Ford GT40 replica was also introduced called the Tornado TS40.

Tornado’s first Mk1 GT40 replica

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.

Tornado GT40 Mk2 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.

Tornado produced a lovely McLaren M6 replica for several years

In 1998 a new model called the Raptor V8 was introduced, which was a wide-bodied Lotus Seven-inspired sportscar 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.

Raptor V8 was a departure for the company but a great take on the Lotus Seven-inspired theme

Production of the Raptor ceased in 2004, once again to allow for increased production of the TS40 GT40 replica.

In 2008, development work began on an all-new lightweight 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 was the first component car company in the world to offer the Coyote engine as an option and the first to fit the engine in a car not manufactured by Ford themselves.

Tornado’s aluminium monocoque

In 2012,  due to demand a GT40 Mk2 version was added alongside 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.

exquisite carbon-fibre monocoque. If you want a Ford GT40 replica, Tornado offers a huge array of choice

Forty years in business is quite an achievement and along with Autotune, Tornado Sports Cars is the longest-established kitcar manufacturer still owned by the founders.

The company has now been continually manufacturing and developing GT40 replicas, kits and parts for 35 years and in that time has developed the most extensive range of kit package options and parts available anywhere.

First kitcar manufacturer in the UK to use the Ford Coyote V8

Their 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 to, or used on, a GT40 replica Andrew Sheldon almost certainly manufactures and supplies it.

Just one satisfied customer’s car

Tornado Sports Cars must surely be the world’s longest-established maker of Ford GT40 replicas. Here’s to the next forty years!

More from www.tornadosportscars.com or call Andrew on 01562 820 372 ENDS.