Purvis Eureka

The Purvis Eureka is a sports car which was produced by Purvis Cars at Dandenong in Victoria, Australia [1] from 1974 to 1991.[2]

Purvis Eureka
Overview
ManufacturerPurvis Cars
Production1974–1991
DesignerAllan Purvis
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Kit car
Body styleCoupé
Targa coupe
LayoutRR
PlatformVolkswagen Beetle
RelatedNova
Powertrain
EngineVW 1.6 F4
VW 2.0 F4
Ford 1.6 I4
Ford 2.0 I4
Mazda Rotary
TransmissionVolkswagen four-speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length4,420 mm (174.0 in)
Width1,753 mm (69.0 in)
Height1,067 mm (42.0 in)
Curb weight700 kg (1,543 lb) [1]

First exhibited at the 1974 Melbourne International Motor Show,[1] the Eureka was based on the British Nova kit car design of 1971.[3] It utilised a Volkswagen Beetle chassis,[4] a fibreglass body [3] and, most commonly, an air-cooled Volkswagen flat-four or a Ford inline four-cylinder engine.[4] Others with Mazda rotary powerplants were also produced.[2] The Eureka was offered both as a kit car and as a fully assembled vehicle.[5] The coupe body had no doors, with access being via a manually operated one-piece canopy, although a power-operated canopy was later offered as an option.[5] A Targa top version was also available from the early 1980s on.[2]

Three models of the Eureka were produced.

  • Purvis Eureka Sports, from 1974 to 1975 [2]
  • Purvis Eureka PL30, from 1975 to 1976 [2]
  • Purvis Eureka F4, from 1976 to 1991 [2]

Some 235 examples of the Eureka Sports were produced [4] and the total output of all Eureka models had reached 683 when production ended in 1991.[3]

In 1977, Eureka Cars NZ, of Auckland, New Zealand, was set up to manufacture the Eureka in New Zealand. The number made by them is unknown but some still exist. The company closed in 1990.[6]

  • Purvis Eureka with bonnet flag
  • Purvis Eureka F4

References
  1. Purvis Eureka sales brochure, page 2 at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 27 August 2010
  2. Purvis Eureka at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 17 August 2010
  3. Models at www.eurekacarclub.com.au Retrieved on 27 August 2010
  4. Mike McCarthy, Great Australian Sports Cars and Specials, 1987, pages 110-115
  5. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 151
  6. Purvis Eureka - Keith McAdam, Constructors Car Club, retrieved 1 February 2016
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