{{Infobox car | name = Fairlite | type = Kit car | manufacturer = Walklett Bros. | production = 1958-1962 | model_years = 1958-1963 | factory = Suffolk | body_style = Convertible | related = Ford 8 and 10 HP | layout = FR layout | engine = {{cvt|1172|cc|cuin L}} ''Ford Sidevalve'' I4 | powerout = | transmission = 3 and 4-speed Manual | wheelbase = {{cvt|7.5|ft|mm|0}} | length = {{cvt|3500|mm|in|1}} | width = {{cvt|1660|mm|in|1}} | height = {{cvt|1322|mm|in|1}} | weight = {{cvt|980|lb|kg|0}} }}
The '''Fairlite''' was a kit car built by the Walklett Brothers, who were also behind Ginetta Cars, meant to be installed on the chassis of the Ford 8 and 10 HP. The Fairlite was the first full fiberglass design developed by the Walklett Brothers, in response to a drying up of sales of "specials" in favor of the booming kit car market.<ref name=BW94_41>{{citation | title = Ginetta: The Inside Story | last = Walklett | first = Bob | publisher = Bookmarque Publishing | location = Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, UK | date = 1994 | isbn = 1870519280 | page = 41 | ref = BW94 }}</ref> The car was originally built as a Kit car based on the Ford 8 and 10 HP {{cvt|7.5|ft|m|1}} wheelbase, but the body could be fit to many other chassis such as the Buckler spaceframe.<ref name=GOrgFair>{{Cite web |title=Fairlite |url=https://www.ginetta.org/index.php/history/model-index/1960-s/fairlite |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.ginetta.org}}</ref> Despite the car selling reasonably well, with 60 being made, the Walklett Brothers did not think the car followed the ethos of what they wanted Ginetta cars to be – it did not handle particularly well, and to be a Ginetta a car had to have an in-house chassis.<ref name=BW94_41/> The Fairlite was therefore never sold under the Ginetta name. The kit cost £49 new.
The car cuts down on the weight of the Ford 8 and 10 HP by {{cvt|560|lb|kg|0}}, meaning the acceleration gain is massive, with the Ginetta improving on the Ford 10 HP top speed of {{Convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, up to {{Convert|71|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, which means it accelerated to {{Convert|60|mph|kph|abbr=on}}, in about 11 seconds, versus the Ford 10 HP which is unable to hit {{Convert|60|mph|kph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=GOrgFair/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fairlite |url=http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/fairlite.html |access-date=2025-01-15 |work= Ford Sidevalve Based Specials}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ginetta Banner |url=https://www.ginetta.org/index.php/events?view=category&id=13 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.ginetta.org}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Ginetta Cars}}
Category:Cars introduced in 1958 Category:Cars discontinued in 1962 Category:Kit cars Category:1960s cars Fairlite