A tour of Old Jet, Rendlesham

Last week Bridge Classic Cars had the pleasure in being given a guided tour of the amazing creative set up at Old Jet, Rendlesham.

And look what caught our eye outside in the car park…

Old Jet is an arts centre based at Bentwaters, the ex US Air Force base in Rendlesham, Suffolk

The aim of Old Jet is to create an inspiring environment for people working in the arts and creative industries.

We believe that you produce your best work when you are part of a community of like-minded people.

3x Suzuki SC100 ‘Whizzkid’s’ and a ‘real’ McCoy)

Stored away somewhere in Suffolk we have 4 very rare finds indeed. In need of some serious TLC we have 3x Suzuki SC100 ‘Whizzkids’ and a very rare McCoy, believed to be 1 of only 100 every produced.

The Suzuki SC100 ”Whizzkids’

Produced for export, Suzuki transformed the Cervo into the SC100, first introduced in April 1978. The SC100 was known in the UK by the nickname “Whizzkid”. The three-cylinder engine was replaced by a rear-mounted 970 cc four-cylinder F10A engine (later used in the SJ410) developing 47 PS (35 kW). Top speed was 142.8 km/h (89 mph) in a contemporary test. The body differed from the Cervo’s in that the windshield was not as steeply raked, necessitating a different doorframe and side window as well. Square headlights were used in European markets, with either round or square ones used elsewhere. In European markets the grille incorporated the chunky indicator lenses, which were normally positioned in a space underneath the bumper – these openings were blanked with plastic grilles.
In the UK it was only available as the lavishly equipped SC100 GX, while in other countries it was also offered as a CX or the more luxurious CX-G. The GX, with a cigar lighter, reclining front seats, and independent all-round suspension.

The McCoy

The McCoy was a Mini-based version of the Clan, made in 1984 by Arthur Birchall, another of the original company founders. The car used a Mini engine and other parts and was thus front-engined and front wheel drive. The body too underwent some changes, with different glazing and a reworked rear-end.

The Mini’s tall A series engine also necessitated a modified, bulkier front. Much of the original Clan’s sleekness was lost, but the McCoy still looked less awkward than many other Mini-based specials. The McCoy means that Clans and their derivative automobiles have been marketed with the engine mounted in the rear, front, as well as midships.