|
The Cobra was
selling so well
Alex decided to
add another
model to his
marque. This
time it would be
more of his own
design. The
intention was
that this car
would be cheaper
and easier to
build than its
big brother. Due
to the success
of the Cobra he
was a little
reluctant to
move into
uncharted
territory so he
stuck with the
retro them and
designed a car
inspired by the
MG TC\TD. It was
never intended
to be a replica
so no
measurements
match the
original and the
car was designed
to fit a Triumph
Herald chassis. The
Almac TC was
released to the
public in 1986
and by New
Zealand kit car
standards could
be called a
success with 25
kits being sold
in two years.
Although the car
had spaces to
allow the
fitting of Almac
badges on the
grill surround
and the boot
several buyers
filled them in
and fitted MG
badges.
It was around
about this time
that Alex hired
more staff to
build turnkey
models, such was
public demand.
However it was
after building
up a couple of
these he became
aware of its
limitations. The
Herald chassis
was getting old,
most were rusty
and there was a
limit in the
size of engine
that you could
put into them.
Thus it was that
late in 1988 the
TC ended
production and
work began on
the car that
would be called
the TG. A major
difference
between the TC
and the TG was
that the TG
would have an
Almac designed
chassis and
would be based
on a modern
donor car the
Holden Gemini.
With this kit
Alex addressed
all the
shortcomings of
the TC and the
kit could be
bought in a box. In
the box was
everything that
the builder
needed to
complete the car
including every
nut and bolt.
The car went on
sale during 1989
and was visually
the same as the
TC other than
the fact that
the fibreglass
radiator
surround had now
been replaced by
one made from
stainless steel
and the car now
had bumpers.
Another feature
was a hardtop
although this
could be
retrofitted to
earlier models.
Strangely enough
this model did
not sell as well
as its
predecessor and
demand tapered
off after only
another 16 or so
had been made.
Now retired from
production,
Almac can still
supply
replacement
panels for cars
that are already
on the road.
|