Lancashire's wooden cars that could have conquered the world

A new type of car that was hardy, cheap to build, and could handle rough terrain – and was also made of wood – was the brainchild of man who grew up near Lancashire.

As a boy, Tony Howarth’s formative years were spent growing up on a farm high in the Pennines. A place described in one of his books as “that corner where Lancashire, Yorkshire and Westmorland used to meet.”

After studying for a degree in engineering from Cambridge University he become a journalist and photographer, travelling the world as a prolific photojournalist. In the 1970s, he spent much of his time in Africa where he’s said to have disliked the developed world’s policy of selling unsustainable vehicles that were not built for the continent’s tough, dirt roads and weather conditions.

He had the idea to build a car from sustainable materials that could easily be made and repaired by African engineers. He’s quoted as saying in a 2013 interview with Engineering and Technology Magazine: “As it was unlikely that a western-style road system would spread to the whole planet then these places needed better cars. Building them locally could alleviate the Third World debt crisis.”

In the early 1980s, three versions of the ‘Africar’ were built: an estate car, a pickup and a six-wheeler which were tested in 1984 during an expedition from the Arctic Circle to the equator, reminiscent of a Top Gear style road adventure. A Channel 4 TV series was made documenting the vehicle’s expedition with a book entitled ‘Africar’ published to accompany the programme.

Setting up his production base in Lancaster, he set up Africar International Limited in 1986 to make and sell the vehicles. The basic Africar was a four-wheel drive, five door car with wide wheel arches.

The chassis and bodywork were made of epoxy-coated wood, similar to the construction of some yachts. It was driven by a Citroën 2CV engine and gearbox plus components from other manufacturers; this was until its own engine and components could be manufactured in Africa.

With a ground clearance higher than a Land-Rover, it was reported to have easily been able to traverse thick mud while weighing just 900kg, half-a-ton less than most other off-road vehicles. Despite this, it was said to be able to carry loads up to twice its own weight.

Prototype Africars, February 22, 1984

Newspapers reported prices for the vehicles were to start at less than £5,000, rising to nearly £16,000 for the largest and fastest models. Africar’s top speeds were said to be between 70mph and 100mph.

However, in 1988, the business folded with The Daily Telegraph reporting debts of £1.5 million to around 40 investors. Reports vary, but it’s thought only between one and six Africars ever made it into production.

In June 1996, the Telegraph reported on a court case surround the collapse of Africar International. Despite the collapse of the company several years earlier, managing director Tony Howarth had reportedly been living in US trying to find investment to keep his dream alive despite being sought by UK authorities.

After returning to Britain years later, Howarth, who had set up Africar International pleaded guilty to one offence of fraudulent trading and five offences of obtaining property by fraudulent deception. He was sentenced to 15-months in prison.

Africar at the Lakeland Motor Museum, Ulverston, May 2016

After sentencing, one investor was quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “Howarth was like a socialist Ernest Hemingway, beard and all. He was anti-establishment and had considerable charm.

“I do not think he set out dishonestly – he could have made more for himself if he did”.

The court heard that at a Christmas party in 1987, to which some of the investors were invited, an ‘Africar’ was unveiled. In fact, this turned out to be a dummy vehicle with no engine or gearbox. Roped off so that customers could ‘see but not touch’, its doors were glued shut and the paint was still wet.

After the collapse of the company, the Africar briefly resurfaced. Another UK company, Special Vehicle Conversion, produced a small run of Africar-based vehicles called Bedouin.

Sadly, some time later, production of these vehicles also ceased. In 1990, after Africar International Ltd’s assets were sold off, one lucky Bury businessman, Alan Brown, managed to get his hands on one of the few vehicles that had been built at a liquidation sale in Stockport.

Africar at the Lakeland Motor Museum, Ulverston, May 2016

The Manchester Evening News reported he had managed to snap up the six-wheel version of the vehicle for a knock-down £4,200. This version of Africar had been originally built for the Arctic to Equator expedition featured in the Channel 4 programme.

The new owner told the M.E.N: “I have always admired it since the series was screened. I taped every episode and I have still got them. I have tried twice before to buy it at auction but it has been withdrawn in the past for legal reasons. This is third time lucky.

“I shall use it to tow my boat around. I was seriously considering putting in a bid for the manufacturing rights, but I think it will be a very difficult job to start manufacturing them all over again, wonderful machines though they are.”

Despite Howarth’s dream remaining unrealised, Howarth’s vision for Africar remains a pioneering concept. One that may have succeeded had the business side of things been handled better.

Its design was a pioneer in the field of using home-grown materials, like wood, with the hopes of creating a unique and sustainable automotive industry in Africa. The concept of Africar has gone on to inspire and influence other car designers and companies looking to create efficient and ecologically friendly motor vehicles.

Does this story awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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