The TMC Costin is a Clubman-style sports car built from 1983 to 1987 in Castlebridge, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland.
It was a very purposeful design, however, strictly oriented towards low aerodynamics, good high-speed stability, light weight, and structural strength.
[4] One son, Peter Thompson, embarked on an engineering career, first as a draughtsman at agricultural engineering firm Phillip Pierce and Co. in Wexford and later with the Timoney Research Centre at Navan, where he was in charge of several projects related to the design of armoured personnel carriers.
[7] In March 1983 Peter, Val, and Sean, along with a fourth brother, Anthony, established a new company to build cars.
[8] They announced plans to open a 4,000 sq ft (370 m2) factory with a staff of eight to build the car in July 1983.
[7] The renamed TMC Costin was officially launched at the Mondello Park circuit in late 1983,[7] and sales began the following year.
[1][11] The car was available in three states of tune: GTA, GTB, and GTC,[citation needed] and offered in kit form or as a fully assembled automobile.
[21][22] With financial backing from his father, Dan Panoz acquired the plans and jigs for the chassis, as well as parts for two complete cars, which were shipped to the United States.
[3] The cheaper 1600 RS used the crossflow engine, a four-speed manual, and had to make do with fabric, rather than solid, doors.
With a 100% design safety margin, the structure is theoretically capable of managing up to 600 hp (447.4 kW).
[10] Unusually for cars of this class, there is 16.5 cu ft (467 L) of luggage space behind the driver and passenger, which can also accommodate two rear-facing seats.
[10][27] The front suspension consists of adjustable equal-length upper and lower wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers.