TMC Costin

Information about TMC Costin

The TMC Costin, a notable example of Irish automotive ingenuity, was produced between 1983 and 1987 by the Thompson Manufacturing Company (TMC) in Castlebridge, County Wexford, Ireland. This sports car, conceived by Frank Costin—an aerodynamicist with prior associations with Lotus and Maserati—represented a significant Irish contribution to the automotive world.

Initially, the Costin project was spearheaded by Peter Thompson, who, along with his brothers, sought to create a competitive race-inspired road car. The design featured a sophisticated tubular steel space frame, offering high stiffness and accommodating a range of Ford engines, ensuring both performance and flexibility in its configuration.

Despite its innovative design and engineering prowess, the TMC Costin was short-lived, with fewer than forty units produced. It achieved some notable success on the racetrack, including a win at its debut race at Mondello Park. Unfortunately, TMC’s journey ended in 1987, with financial constraints and limited production numbers marking the end of this unique Irish automotive venture.

The legacy of the TMC Costin, however, continued in an unexpected way. The rights to its chassis were acquired by Dan Panoz, who utilized this design to create the foundation for the Panoz Roadster, thereby extending the influence of the TMC Costin beyond its original iteration and geographical origins. This venture not only underscored the potential of the Costin’s design but also connected Irish automotive craftsmanship with broader international projects.