2+2 Convertible
By 1993 the firm was also offering a 2+2 convertible, also based on the Mark2 Ford Fiesta, which has been Quantum's most successful model with 431 examples built to date. Since the previous model had evolved, at the time the Wooldridges considered this to be their second model: numbering therefore began 'Q2-001'. One 2+2 (numbered Q2-275: pictured), with a two-litre engine rather than the more common Fiesta XR2 one, was widely featured in magazine articles (KitCar magazine August 1999 edition) and also loaned to the BBC's Top Gear magazine for testing. The car was driven by Jeremy Clarkson and his wife who compared it favourably with mass-market alternatives such as the Mazda Mx5 during the test. The only criticism was based on the smell of new fibreglass.
Another 2+2, number 013, originally assembled by its owner in Pinner, North West London, in 1993, the only one resident outside Europe, now lives in New Zealand. A Ford 1800cc diesel was substituted for the original XR2 petrol engine, and a turbocharger has been added. The vehicle is in daily use, both as a family car and - with or without a trailer - for some of the parcel carrying activities of Allbays Transport, an Auckland North Shore based passenger and courier goods transportion business.
The 2+2 is still in production although plans have been mooted by the current owner to further revise the design to offer more spacious rear seats and switch to a more readily available donor vehicle, the Mk2 Fiesta now itself being quite rare.
Read more about this topic: Quantum Sports Cars
Famous quotes containing the word convertible:
“Herein is the explanation of the analogies, which exist in all the arts. They are the re-appearance of one mind, working in many materials to many temporary ends. Raphael paints wisdom, Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakspeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it, Luther preaches it, Washington arms it, Watt mechanizes it. Painting was called silent poetry, and poetry speaking painting. The laws of each art are convertible into the laws of every other.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)