Tojeiro

Tojeiro Cars, a British car manufacturer founded by John Tojeiro, earned recognition in the 1950s and 1960s for creating lightweight racing sports cars, many of which significantly influenced the development of other high-performance vehicles. Initially gaining fame with the AC Ace, which would later evolve into the iconic AC Cobra, Tojeiro became well-regarded for his innovative chassis designs and lightweight engineering that set new standards for British sports cars. 

In the mid-1950s, John Tojeiro began crafting his own cars, blending independent suspension with a focus on sleek aerodynamics. One of his earliest breakthroughs came with his work on the AC Ace in 1953. This model featured a tubular frame and lightweight body, making it highly competitive. His designs would become a foundation for the AC Cobra after Carroll Shelby installed a Ford V8 engine into the platform. Shelby’s work transformed the Ace into a racing icon, with Tojeiro’s engineering playing a significant role. 

Tojeiro Cars gained greater recognition in the motorsport world in the 1960s, particularly through its association with Ecurie Ecosse, a Scottish racing team. The relationship bore fruit in 1962 when Tojeiro produced the EE-Climax Coupé, intended for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although the car had promising speed, it faced challenges, including mechanical issues that hampered its full potential. Despite retiring early from Le Mans, the EE-Climax Coupé proved itself on the racing circuit by setting speed records at Monza. The car hit 152 mph on Monza’s speedbowl, marking an impressive achievement for the Tojeiro brand.