Birkin Car service manuals

Birkin Cars is a South African car manufacturer. The company's specialty and the only car currently produced is the S3 Roadster, a car copy of the Lotus Super 7. The company's founder and owner is John Watson, a descendant of pioneering racing driver Tim Birkin.

Birkin Cars was founded in 1982. Company founder John Watson, an automotive enthusiast, was a fan of the classic Lotus Seven. However, the car has since been discontinued from the manufacturer and can no longer be purchased as new. In the early 1980s, Watson designed and built his own version of the seven. The cars were unveiled to the public at the 1983 South African Grand Prix. The first batch of completed S3 roadsters were delivered direct for sale in Lotus showrooms.

Birkin has expanded several times since the 1980s, but has maintained its base of operations near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The cars are currently sold through dealers around the world in the USA, Japan and throughout Europe. The car can be purchased either turnkey or as a kit for self-assembly, which can be completed by the owner. The vehicle can use several inline 4 cylinder engines such as the Ford Zetec and Toyota 4AG. Further improvements to the car include the use of independent rear suspension in place of the previously used live axle.

In July 2013, Birkin added a widebody version, this car is approximately 4 inches wider and 3 inches longer.