Trojan (Racing team)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Trojan was an automobile manufacturer and a Formula One constructor from the United Kingdom. The complete history can be found at [1]

The car producer Trojan Limited founded by Leslie Hounsfield in 1914 in Purley Way, Croydon, South London and produced cars and especially delivery vans until 1964.

Around 1960 the Trojan factory was sold to Peter Agg who assembled Lambretta Scooters for the English market. In 1962 the right to manufacture the Heinkel microcar was acquired and the production line was moved from Dundalk, Ireland, to Croydon, Surrey. Production then commenced of the renamed Trojan cabin cruiser. Production continued until 1965 when some 6,000 cars had been produced. Also in 1962 Trojan acquired the Elva sports car business and started to make the Mk IV Elva Courier.

This in turn led onto the manufacturing of McLaren racing cars until vehicle production finally ceased in the early 1970s. Trojan Limited still exists as an independent company though the factory was sold in the 70’s.

They participated in eight grands prix, entering a total of 8 cars. While Formula One remained the major series, sports cars were also fashionable on either side of the Atlantic. The McLaren M1 was put into production by Peter Agg's Lambretta Trojan Group in Rye, Sussex. They would make 200 McLarens during ten years.