Consulier GTP - Consulier GTP

The Consulier GTP, conceived in 1985, was a 2200 lb (998 kg) mid-engined sports car. It was powered by a turbocharged Chrysler 2.2 L Turbo II engine producing 190 hp (142 kW). The chassis was a fiberglass-and-foam monocoque, the first carbon fiber and Kevlar-bodied vehicle ever to go into production - with no structural metal in the body.

The GTP Sport was the base model, with the LX adding Recaro seats, VDO instrumentation, Fittipaldi wheels, and an Alpine pullout CD system, not to mention sunroof, leather, air, cruise, power locks, mirrors, and windows, tilt wheel, and wool carpets; options including a security system and cellphone. Both had full instrumentation, in a plain flat black panel, with eleven gauges in two sizes.

The GTP was widely criticized for its appearance, with Sports Car International even running a redesign contest. "We don't think it's as pretty as it could be, not by a long shot," claimed the magazine. But it was highly successful in racing. The Consulier GTP competed successfully in many races for the next six years, before being banned by the sanctioning body IMSA in 1991.

There were two series of Consuliers produced. The first series sold just 10 copies, with the remaining orders cancelled after an article in AutoWeek blasted the company as a fraud. Top speed on the Series II with the Turbo III engine was reported to be 155 mph (249 km/h).

The Series II cars had a slightly more rounded body, but the most obvious change was the removal of the louvers formerly covering the rear hatch. The Series II cars also weighed significantly less. Overall, 100 Consulier GTPs were produced.

A few of the cars were hybrids between the Consulier, Intruder, and Raptor. Two were built with the higher-output Turbo III engine, and some were modified to accept longitudinal Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engines. Experimental Consuliers were converted to use electricity (generated by a fuel cell) and even compressed air.