Caliban Type SC Rev. 1 (1949-1956). Breaking out the big guns.
Advertisement for the Type SC in the early 50s. The Type SC was a response to the American market wanting bigger and more powerful sports cars, and any kind of car really.
Towards the late 40s, the Thunder had become a good seller (speaking in kit car numbers) for the UK. However, it struggled in the other market Caliban was trying to compete in, the USA, as Americans wanted bigger and more powerful cars.
This forced Lord Mach 1 and his engineers to design a bigger kit car, with a bigger engine as well. The new project was codenamed SC (Sports Coupe), and it consisted of a longer and slightly wider Thunder, with the wheelbase increased from 2.3 metres to 2.7 metres. It still kept its all around double wishbone suspension and steel space frame construction.
The new powerplant powering the engine was the first generation of the Stormcast V8, specially developed for the Type SC. Displacing 3.2 liters, with direct acting overhead cams and all cast components, fed by twin single barrel carburetors, the first generation of the Stormcast developed a healthy for the time 152hp. Mated to a three speed manual, this was the first Caliban to complete the 0-62 sprint in less than 10 seconds, at 9.5 seconds.
The first Type SC kit was also the first car to be produced in the USA with external help, and was sold for $1120 in 1951.