2001 Gibbons Sports 7 / GS7 (United Kingdom)

The Gibbons car, officially known as the Gibbons Sports 7 (GS7), is a remarkable example of personal craftsmanship and dedication. Created by Chris Gibbons, a plastic fabricator from South Yorkshire, England, this car was inspired by Ron Champion’s How to Build a Sportscar (and Race It) for £250, which introduced the “Locost” concept.

The journey of building the GS7 began on June 20, 2000, when Gibbons cut and welded the first pieces of steel on his 8-foot by 8-foot workbench. Over the next two months, he meticulously constructed the basic chassis, which was later transported home and completed after a brief hiatus to build a carport—his garage was being demolished for an extension.

Gibbons utilized parts from a Mk2 Ford Escort to power his creation. The car features a 1300cc Ford Crossflow engine paired with a 4-speed Ford Escort gearbox. The rear axle and differential come from the same Escort, equipped with a 3.89:1 ratio and mounted on trailing arms with a panhard rod for stability. For the front suspension, he used stub axles from a Ford Cortina.

The GS7’s wheels are polished 6 x 13 Ford RS 4-spokes, fitted with 185/60-13 tyres, which complement the car’s agile design. Its bodywork combines aluminum side and back panels with a seven-piece fiberglass set from MK Engineering, while the interior features fiberglass seats and a black embossed polypropylene dash. Gibbons’s father played a crucial role in painting the chassis, adding a personal touch to the final assembly.

Despite the challenges and labor-intensive process, the Gibbons car stands as a testament to Gibbons’s skill and perseverance. It reflects a deep passion for automotive design and a commitment to bringing a personal dream to life through meticulous, hands-on work.