The ex David Render and Tony Castle-Miller Tornado Fiat 600 which was built by the Tornado car company in 1966.The company had manufactured a succession of fibreglass sports cars, the last being the Tornado Talisman.

The company was acquired by John Bekaert, a well-known racing driver in the 50’s and 60’s (he drove a Lister Jaguar at Goodwood in 1958, TC-M’s introduction to motorsport as a very young fellow).

Bekaert produced three cars, one of which was his ‘works’ example complete with a dry sumped 1850 cc Ford engine complete with Martin cross flow cylinder head and 12 valves. This car regularly saw off Ferraris, E types, Allards and other heavy metal, over a standing Kilometre at Blackbush and Brighton. Bekaert reached 130 mph with a 10/39 ring and pinion specially supplied by Abarth.

Originally fitted with a Ford Cortina 1500GT engine this example proved uncompetitive against Bekaert’s 600 and other similarly fast competition. It was promptly fitted with a tuned Lotus Cortina engine as a result of David Renders life long friendship with Colin Chapman.

The car went on to win over 80 events in Renders hands until being sold to TC-M in 1972. Success in Speed events continued and further development saw the car used in Special Saloon Car racing during the 70’s.

The car was rebuilt in 2007/8 to its original specification, using all the original Tornado parts, a replacement bodyshell of the correct year and a first series Lotus Cortina engine. It is believed to be the sole surviving  Tornado Fiat 600 out if the three originally produced.

The car is today still sensationally fast and fabulous to drive – think early 911 Porsche for handling  characteristics. It will easily exceed 115 mph with impressive acceleration.

The specification is as follows –

Body/chassis  -  strengthened Fiat 600D with full FIA rollcage

Interior  -  fully upholstered standard Fiat 600D with competition drivers seat and full Tornado instrumentation

Engine  -  1600 cc  135 bhp Lotus Twin Cam on twin 40’s, sprint cams, C type rods, sprint valves, high pressure/capacity oil pump, competition exhaust, light flywheel, uprated clutch.

Transmission  -  Fiat 600D transaxle with straight cut close ratio  gears, Abarth crown wheel & pinion, strengthened differential with special driveshafts/hubs

Wheels  -  5.5x13 Minilites with Dunlop Sport tyres

Suspension  -  Abarth front springs with adjustable coil over dampers and spring locating strut. Special heavy duty rear coil springs with adjustable dampers.

Cooling  -  front Tornado radiator ( designed for a speedboat apparently!!) with alloy pipes and rear Tornado header tank

Exterior  -  standard Fiat 600D with slightly flared wheel arches, Tornado air grill on front lid (Commer van!!) and Tornado front grill (Fiat 1100). Rear lid propped open (it doesn’t close!) with Tornado rear hoop and special rear panel.

The car is red with black interior

Bekaert produced three cars, one of which was his ‘works’ example complete with a dry sumped 1850 cc Ford engine complete with Martin cross flow cylinder head and 12 valves. This car regularly saw off Ferraris, E types, Allards and other heavy metal, over a standing Kilometre at Blackbush and Brighton. Bekaert reached 130 mph with a 10/39 ring and pinion specially supplied by Abarth.

Originally fitted with a Ford Cortina 1500GT engine this example proved uncompetitive against Bekaert’s 600 and other similarly fast competition. It was promptly fitted with a tuned Lotus Cortina engine as a result of David Renders life long friendship with Colin Chapman.

The car went on to win over 80 events in Renders hands until being sold to TC-M in 1972. Success in Speed events continued and further development saw the car used in Special Saloon Car racing during the 70’s.

The car was rebuilt in 2007/8 to its original specification, using all the original Tornado parts, a replacement bodyshell of the correct year and a first series Lotus Cortina engine. It is believed to be the sole surviving  Tornado Fiat 600 out if the three originally produced.

The car is today still sensationally fast and fabulous to drive – think early 911 Porsche for handling  characteristics. It will easily exceed 115 mph with impressive acceleration.

The specification is as follows –

Body/chassis  -  strengthened Fiat 699D with full FIA rollcage

Interior  -  fully upholstered standard Fiat 600D with competition drivers seat and full Tornado instrumentation

Engine  -  1600 cc  135 bhp Lotus Twin Cam on twin 40’s, sprint cams, C type rods, sprint valves, high pressure/capacity oil pump, competition exhaust, light flywheel, uprated clutch.

Transmission  -  Fiat 600D transaxle with straight cut close ratio  gears, Abarth crown wheel & pinion, strengthened differential with special driveshafts/hubs

Wheels  -  5.5x13 Minilites with Dunlop Sport tyres

Suspension  -  Abarth front springs with adjustable coil over dampers and spring locating strut. Special heavy duty rear coil springs with adjustable dampers.

Cooling  -  front Tornado radiator ( designed for a speedboat apparently!!) with alloy pipes and rear Tornado header tank

Exterior  -  standard Fiat 600D with slightly flared wheel arches, Tornado air grill on front lid (Commer van!!) and Tornado front grill (Fiat 1100). Rear lid propped open (it doesn’t close!) with Tornado rear hoop and special rear panel.

The car is red with black interior.

A change in circumstances has bought this unique car back on the market. The car resides with the current owner in Bishops Stortford, where it can be viewed by appointment.