ABOUT BIRKIN SPORTSCARS PTY LTD
Purchasing a clubman sports car is an extravagance, an investment in lifestyle. Your enjoyment will in part depend on the availability of service and support to help with assembly of your vehicle. However, it extends beyond construction to exploring the community of other Birkin and clubman owners. You might want to race or simply rally to enjoy a cappuccino at the end of a twisty road. Welcome to Birkin Sportscars.
Birkin RSA
Birkin’s roots reach far beyond the birth of the S3 roadster. The name ‘Birkin’ first found fame in the hands of Sir Henry ‘Tim Birkin’. This Legendary British racer was responsible for the development of the famous supercharged 4.5litre ‘blower’ Bentley, which he drove to victory in the 1928 Le Mans 24 hour. Birkin’s flamboyant racing career is recorded in his book ‘Full Throttle’ written to inspire young enthusiasts whose interests lay in the motorsport.
The company was founded in 1982, by John Watson to manufacture performance cars and components. Birkin swiftly earned an enviable international reputation for craftsmanship and quality. In 1983 the Birkin S3 was born out of a love for the legendary Lotus Super Seven and has been widely acclaimed as one of the finest quality classic reproductions in the world — quite an accomplishment for this small but dynamic company based in Pinetown, South Africa.
"Since it's conception in 1983 the Birkin S3 has been widely acclaimed
as one of the finest quality classic reproductions in the world"
The history begins in the back yard of a service station in a small workshop of not more than fifty square metres. The South African Lotus dealer heard about the vehicle and arranged to view it. Based on their observations they offered a contract to John to build cars.
"Purchasing a clubman sports
car is an extravagance, an
investment in lifestyle"
Birkin Sportscars was formed and is owned by distributors based in each state around Australia. Every distributor has a passion for the cars, understands their intricacies and can assist with construction, engineering and registration.
They can advise on the specification of the vehicle to best suit your needs; whether it be boulevard cruising or outright circuit racing. Ask them to take you for a test drive that you will never forget!
"Every distributor has a
passion for the cars"
Birkin distributors have access to a comprehensive supply of component kits and spare parts which are always in stock. Delivery issues are a thing of the past!
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The car made its debut at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1983. The high profile launch, staged by the RSA Lotus distributors, was attended by Hazel Chapman, the widow of the late Colin Chapman and the Lotus Formula One Drivers, Nigel Mansell and Elio de Angelis. The Birkin S3 was an instant success and an initial build of 12 limited edition cars, finished in Team Lotus ‘JPS black and gold livery, was commissioned by the Lotus dealers.
"The Birkin S3 was an instant success ... finished in Team Lotus ‘JPS black and gold livery"
Nearly 8000 Birkin S3’s have been produced worldwide since 1988 with numerous awards and glowing endorsements in kit car magazines and web rings. Birkin Cars has an ISO9001 standard production line with a production capacity of 300 cars per year. Birkin Sportscars provides Australian clubman builders with the world’s best clubman kit, and the reassurance that spare parts and components will be available in the years to come.
"Birkin Sportscars provides Australian clubman builders with the world’s best clubman kit"
Birkin Cars have recently turned their attention to the requirements of the driver, recognizing that the customer of today is well informed and demands the ultimate in performance. Following the successful development of the Birkin live axle cars; the IRS Chassis is the result of the evolution of Birkin product technology, to create a new generation car.