1976 | Piper P2

Highlights: 

• One of 98 built 
• 45 years of ownership 
• Ready to go

Brand & Model History: 
The story of Piper Cars all began in the mid-1960s, when Formula 3 team leader George Henrotte put together a crew in the UK to make its own racing prototype. Piper Cars was launched officially in 1966, debuting the road-going fiberglass GT in kit-car form the following year. With the front suspension from a Triumph Herald and a Ford rear axle, the GT exemplified textbook British engineering, with Piper making most if its money by selling hot cams and cylinder heads on the side. Piper Cars was much more than just a small group of mechanics working out of a modest garage. This Berkshire-based company built a strong reputation in the tuning industry, even enhancing some Japanese motorcycles with 16-valve heads. Today, the brand is recognized as Piper Cams, which became a separate entity from the car manufacturing side of the business in the early 1970s. 

One of the company's final car models was the P2 (also known as the 'Phase 2'). 

The GRP-bodied P2 was a thorough overhaul of the earlier GTT. It measured seven inches longer, an inch higher and offered the driver adjustable pedals for the first time (the seat were rigidly fixed to the tub). The listed car, built in 1976 by ex-Piper Mechanics, [who hand built this with a spare body and chassis] has quad headlights under fairings, though pop-ups were available in later P2 models. Before 1973, when tax rules changed, P2s could be bought complete or in kit form. Sadly, the 1973 fuel crisis finished off Piper Cars, four years after the company’s main driving force, Brian Sherwood, died in an accident four years earlier. 

The Piper Sports and Racing Car Club asserts that around 80 Piper cars of varying types survive to this day. The vendor of this P2 reckons there are only 12 examples of the marque currently registered on the road in the UK with DVLC. 

History & Condition: 

Registered in 1976, the Piper offered was briefly in the ownership of two individuals before being acquired by the current owner in December 1979, residing with him ever since, with ‘MAM 870P’ now displaying a recorded mileage of less than 7,000 miles albeit noting the speedometer Tacho had to be recalibrated in 1997 due to the rear axle ratio being changed. Before the "Body off, Full Restoration" in 1997, the Piper had about 13,000 miles on the clock, making a total or circa 20,000 miles, which is close to the total amount from memory.

Comprehensively restored in 1997, the works completed included the subframe being zinc galvanized and strengthened; a "roll cage" fitted, with the bodywork recently resprayed in Red in 2023. This was effectively the closet paint match to previous colour which had faded in places.

The mechanical improvements comprised a new Stage 2 Ford Crossflow engine (supplied by Anglian Engines) with a stage 2 Piper Cam, a "Piper" all-steel rocker assembly and twin 40 Webber DCOE’s carburettors were fitted. The gearbox was replaced with a refurbished Ford 2000E (three rail version - as originally supplied) mated to a refurbished 3.0 Capri back axle, with gear ratios changed to 3.77/ 1 from the original 3.22/1.

Also during the restoration, ancillaries such as the Kenlowe Fan, alternator, radiator and associated pipework were changed, also including uprating the brakes with "power server" for assisted braking. electronic ignition was also added.

The interior was refreshed in cloth and has a Kenwood CD Radio more recently installed with 150 Watt Speakers in the doors. Even more recently, it also has a reversing camera added (Screen is detachable) and individual "powered" air vents fitted. 

This is an undoubtedly a rare opportunity to acquire a very low production British sports car maintained meticulously with no expense spared.

Included in the purchase are assembled comprehensive manuals, one for both Mechanical and Electrical, identifying the cars components etc.

Not included in the sale are moulds for the Spoiler, headlights, rear and side windows. These were made by a specialist firm in Rochester. Many spare mechanical and electrical items for separate purchase collected over the last 45 years.

Owner Condition Ratings: 

Bodywork: 'Excellent' 

Engine: 'Excellent' 

Electrical Equipment: 'Very Good' 

Paintwork: 'Excellent' 

Transmission: 'Excellent' 

Interior Trim: 'Excellent'

Market Positioning and Prices: 

P2 is one of 80 Piper road cars (out of a total production of around 98) known to survive, with examples being found as far afield as the USA and Japan. And thanks to the Piper Sports and Racing Car Club, the marque continues to enjoy a strong and eye-catching presence at classic car shows throughout Britain. Although small – membership, open to anyone interested in Piper cars, currently stands at 28 – the club is able to supply all parts needed for restoration and will soon possess its own chassis jig. Indeed, you’ll have to look long and hard to find a more dedicated and passionate bunch of enthusiasts – ownership periods are typically measured in decades rather than years. 

**Summary: ** 

Piper Cars, founded in the mid-1960s, gained recognition for producing race prototypes and fiberglass GT kit cars, while also building a reputation in the tuning world with products like hot cams and cylinder heads. 

One of the company's final models, the P2, was an updated version of the GTT and featured adjustable pedals, a GRP body, and both quad headlight and pop-up options followed in later years. 

The listed P2, built in 1976, has had the same owner for 45 years, covering approximately 20,000 miles, and underwent a comprehensive restoration in 1997. 

The car boasts mechanical upgrades like a Stage 2 Ford Crossflow engine, a strengthened subframe, and modern features such as a Kenwood sound system and reversing camera. 

Only 98 Piper cars were made, and about 80 survive today, with dedicated enthusiasts preserving the marque through the Piper Sports and Racing Car Club.