Description
Björn Lindell, the designer behind the UFO kit car, already had several successful boat designs on his résumé when he decided in 1988 to develop an advanced lightweight sports car. This was not his first encounter with high-performance vehicles. At just nineteen years old, he personally restored a ten-year-old race car and adapted it for road use. That car, a Nordisk Special powered by an Ardun V8, had a power-to-weight ratio of 1:4 — 100 horsepower moving only 400 kg. That ratio later became Björn’s benchmark when establishing the design brief for Project UFO.
In collaboration with ENEM, one of Europe’s most respected engine tuners, it was decided that General Motors’ 16-valve 2.0-liter engine would serve as the standard engine for the UFO. This power unit was considered both powerful and reliable, and likely to be produced in large numbers, making it easily accessible for kit-car builders. ENEM also developed a belt-driven supercharger kit for the engine, increasing both power and torque by approximately 50%.
Weight calculations showed that the UFO would weigh around 850 kg with this engine and a standard gearbox if the chassis were built from steel tubing and the body from fiberglass laminate. To reduce weight even further, it was decided that the body and parts of the chassis would instead be manufactured from carbon-fiber composite cured in an autoclave. The advantages of this manufacturing method were numerous: exceptional strength and low weight, combined with outstanding dimensional precision and surface finish.
The UFO is a three-seater, with the driver positioned centrally and one passenger seated on each side slightly further back for optimal weight distribution. Both passengers and the fuel tank are positioned close to the car’s center of gravity, resulting in minimal handling changes under varying load conditions. The UFO was also developed in consultation with leading aerodynamic specialists. Wind tunnel testing demonstrated an efficient aerodynamic shape with very low sensitivity to crosswinds.
The UFO concept actually consisted of not one but three different cars on the drawing board. These variants featured different power units, tire configurations, and body designs. Planned output ranged from 150–200 kW, while an electric-powered version was envisioned with 50–100 kW.
Technical specifications – Prototype
Longitudinally mounted 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder
Turbocharged with intercooler
Maximum output: 234 kW / 314 hp at 6,200 rpm
Maximum torque: 420 Nm at 4,500 rpm
Steering: Rack and pinion
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes front and rear
Rear-wheel drive with limited-slip differential
5-speed Hewland gearbox with interchangeable cassette, Hewland FT-200-1927
Double wishbone suspension front and rear with driver-adjustable anti-roll bars
Front wheels: 16" x 9.5"
Rear wheels: 16" x 11.5"
Front tires: 270/35-16 treaded slicks
Rear tires: 300/30-16 treaded slicks
Length: 3,940 mm
Width: 1,840 mm
Kerb weight: 850 kg
Technical data
Condition
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Mechanical condition
Technically, the car is in very fine overall condition. All electrical functions are working properly, as are all instruments. The tires are older and show minor signs of dry cracking, though they still have good remaining tread.
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Interior condition
A well-executed interior restoration. The carpets, dashboard, door panels, and seating surfaces are all in excellent, unworn condition.
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Exterior condition
Beautiful glossy paintwork overall. There are a few minor bubbles on the rear engine cover. The same applies to the alternative rear cover supplied without the wing (more inspection-friendly). Minor scuff marks are present low down on the very low front spoiler.
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General condition
A brilliantly built monster to drive. Unique in its kind — so if you are looking for a sports car you will not find parked in your neighbor’s driveway, this is the one. A true boy-toy car… or perhaps just as much a girl-toy car.
MOT (tech. insp.)
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1998-10-01 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1999-10-11
Senast godkända besiktning: 2006-12-11
Besiktigad tom: 2007-10-31
Årsskatt: 1985 Kr
Körförbud: Ja
Antal ägare: 3
Location and viewing Information
For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:
Peter Forslund
+46 705 34 79 00
peter.forslund@bilwebauctions.se
Pick up
NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.
Auction information
General information about the condition of the vehicles .
- At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
- During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
- Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
- When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
- If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
- If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
- Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
- For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.