Urba Centurion- 1982

The Urba Centurion was a kit car designed by Quincy-Lynn Enterprises in 1982. A full set of plans, available through Mechanix Illustrated, cost a mere $17.00! The basis for the car is a 1970 Triumph Spitfire chassis with the British engine replaced by a three-cylinder 18 hp Kubota diesel engine. The body is handcrafted fiberglass for light weight and aerodynamic efficiency. The car was supposed to be capable of getting 128 mpg when driven at 35 mph; our real-world experience was 40 mpg during normal operation. Although the car looks fast, it has a top speed of only 55 mph, and the windows open only a small amount, making ventilation and cooling totally inadequate for everyday use.