LMJ DESIGN PRESENTS: THE MORRISON KESTREL SPORTS ROADSTER
What’s even better than a Morrison Kestrel? Well, enjoying fresh air in a Morrison Kestrel, of course! Which is why we did this open top, 2 seater conversion with a classic tonneau cover giving it a sporty look. For safety, the headrest humps are hiding rollover hoops.
The front end was restyled, and we’re not going to lie - inspiration was taken from two classic Ferrari models, the F50 and the Enzo. But unlike them, we kept the popup lights, since they are a huge part of the identity of the Kestrel - we just updated them with modern projectors and a bit more mean looking graphic design. LED DRLs were added in case you want to drive with the popups down during daytime conditions.
Yes, the taillight panel was cast in carbon fiber and now incorporates round lights, and yes, we admit it, once again with the F50 as an inspiration source. The rear wing follows the shape of the original, but vastly enlarged, and the rest of the bodykit was made aggressive enough to match this look.
Since the original interior is a rather nice place, it just got subtle updates. Carbon fiber detailing, a new steering wheel, new sports seats and a new upholstery in red/black leather/alcantara. A simple but functional modern infotainment system was added.
Fact is, nothing suits this car better than the classic factory red, so we kept the shade and just replaced the fading single shot urethane with a modern base/clearcoat system. The wheels are another thing that draws inspiration from Modena - in this case, heavily influenced by the F40 model.
For $35 000 AMU, it is competitive in price compared to anything with a prancing horse on its emblems, though. What do you get, then?
Well, the engine got a complete overhaul, now sports two turbochargers and a 554 hp power output. Everything under the shell was beefed up and built to better tolerances. A big brake kit gives it stopping power, launch control makes it easier to take off again. The electric variable steering decreases parasitic losses of power while giving better reliability than the stock hydraulic system. We have mainly worked with details otherwise - but details giving you a much better car than the original. It can now corner 0.99 G. It stops from 100 in 37.2 meters. Quartermile is done in 12.24 seconds. The 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.77 - while 2.05 seconds from 80-120 gives you blazing passing acceleration on the highway. Top speed? 336 km/h should be more than enough, right?
THE MORRISON KESTREL SPORTS ROADSTER. BY LMJ DESIGN.