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The History of Grinnall
Grinnall Specialist Cars Limited is a centre for radical sportscar design and the home of the Scorpion. For nearly two decades, Grinnall's talented team of designers, engineers and craftsmen have dedicated themselves to providing top quality performance on wheels.
The company's reputation was first made by its extensively reworked and refined conversions of the Triumph TR7. By 1990, some 350 Grinnall TR8s had been made. The Triumph Register now recognises the Grinnall TR8 as a marque in its own right.
In 1991, in search of a radical but affordable high performance concept, Mark Grinnall turned towards his passion of motorcycling, and his hand to a three-wheeler, which unlike any of its illustrious ancestors would be high-tech, mid-engined and rear wheel driven. This was to be the first in a family of innovative, niche-market sporting vehicles.
Development of the Scorpion IV began in June 1998. At motor shows and demonstration days up and down the country - and via our website - a significant number of prospective customers - and some Scorpion III owners - had been asking us to produce a four-wheeler. They wanted a little more interior room, full weather equipment, and even more performance.
Many owners wanted to 'graduate' from Caterhams and Lotus Elises in search of the ideal everyday/trackday package.
They were also clear that they loved the Scorpion III's ultra-modern, minimalist styling. So Steve Harper, now Volvo's Chief Designer, the man who drew the SIII also drew the SIV and there is a clear family relationship between the two.
Findings from the research and development of the highly-acclaimed Scorpion III went into the building of the new Scorpion IV chassis; a space-frame structure which is remarkably rigid, yet respectably light.
The front suspension is a development of that which works so well on the Scorpion III; double wishbones in oval tubing with inboard coil springs over custom built Harvey Bailley dampers. At the rear, long, super-stiff longitudinal links which give superb handling and camber control without compromising the vehicle's distinctive styling.
Exhaustive trials of possible power-trains included Rover K-series, Honda VTEC and Fiat 20v turbo - all fine products. Eventually however, we signed an OEM supply deal with a leading European manufacturer for a lightweight 225bhp turbo unit and six-speed gearbox. After four years of continuous development, the result is truly impressive.
