1992
Ted Marlow purchases the rights, jigs and moulds for the Ultima Mk2 and Ultima Mk3 from Noble Motorsport Ltd.
Total Ultima sales to date under the ownership of Lee Noble between 1983 and 1992 is 26 including a total of 13 Mk3 kits.
This is the end of any involvement in the future development of the Ultima by Lee Noble.
Ultima Sports Ltd was formed by Ted and Richard Marlow based in premises at Long Itchington, Warwickshire.
The company goal was to produce a complete affordable supercar to be supplied in component form to an exceptional quality utilising all new purpose designed components for home assembly and that it would primarily be a road car. No donor parts from breakers yards were to be used again.
Not only would the Ultima be capable of being faster than any other road car available, but the design would now allow a relatively straightforward form of construction that would enable customers with no previous experience to build their own supercar at a fraction of the cost of any others.
A major feature was to emulate the format and hence ease of build adopted by radio control model car manufacturers.
Ted Marlow's Ultima Mk3 was initially used as a demonstrator and as a development car.
New chassis jig made to incorporate the fitting of the Chevrolet V8 engine, Porsche transaxle, twin fuel tanks, steering system, cooling system, pedals, gear change, suspension, seats and body fixings.
Picture of the base of jig.
All major components were designed from scratch to suit a small block Chevrolet V8 and Porsche transaxle in order to productionise the car.
The new company introduced a revised design to make the Ultima more road orientated and civilised including a five speed Porsche G50 transaxle, an air conditioning option, improved headlights, luggage compartments, gas ram assisted doors, weather seals, lockable doors, handbrake, adjustable suspension, improved ride quality, provision in loom for CD player etc., wiper system, fog lights and trim options.
For a full list of design changes see
Ultima History addendum 1.
Due to all the fundamental changes and improvements over the Ultima Mk3 a new model designated the Ultima Sports is launched.
The order book of Ultima Sports Ltd is officially opened.