The Rocket, a tiny sports car designed by Gordon Murray and built by the Light Car Company (LCC) in the early 1990s, remains a standout example of lightweight engineering. While many remember the Jaguar XJ220’s 217mph top speed or the McLaren F1’s 627bhp, the Rocket quietly established itself as one of the lightest road cars ever made.
Engineering Excellence: A Focus on Weight Reduction
The Rocket’s design philosophy centered around extreme weight reduction. The car weighed in at around 400kg (with over 20 liters of fuel), though LCC founder Chris Craft claimed a figure of 385kg, which testing has since confirmed. This makes it the lightest road car driven by many enthusiasts, excluding specialized racing vehicles like Austin Seven specials (which weigh in the low 300s) or Gordon Murray’s own 280kg racing prototype.
Motorcycle Power, Optimized Design
Unlike some motorcycle-engined cars that suffer from mismatched proportions, the Rocket was designed around its Yamaha FZR1000 engine. The 143bhp engine revs to 11,500rpm, delivering impressive performance in such a light chassis. This contrasts with other conversions where engine downsizing results in an oversized vehicle.
Unique Interior and Modifications
This particular Rocket has been modified for even greater performance. The passenger seat has been removed and replaced with a kart-style Tillett seat, providing superior grip and support. The fuel tank has also been relocated from behind the engine to the space formerly occupied by the passenger seat. These changes further optimize the car’s weight distribution and handling.
The Rocket remains a testament to the power of minimalist design. Its focus on weight reduction, combined with a powerful engine and clever engineering, makes it a standout among lightweight sports cars.
The Rocket is about as good as it gets for those who appreciate lightweight road cars. Its unique design and performance characteristics continue to impress decades after its release
