This is the 2002 Leading Edge Sports Car Company 190 RT, an extremely obscure machine that was developed by a British automotive company that was based in Dereham, Norfolk. Leading Edge outsourced much of their manufacturing to another Dereham-based British company known as Breckland Technologies, and all together, the company only developed two models until they dissolved in September of 2005. These models included the 190 RT (shown here), and the 240 RT which came at the same time. The Leading Edge company was founded by Paul Mickleburgh, and in order to construct the 190 RT and 240 RT, the team used the mid-engined Japanese sports car known as the Tommykaira ZZ as a basis for the project. The 190 RT essentially serves as a modified, and lightly updated variant of the ZZ. After Tommykaira and Mooncraft's Takuya Yur created a unique design for the ZZ, approximately 220 units were sold from 1996 until 2000 in the models first-generation. The ZZ’s designs were subsequently sold at auction to Breckland Technology Ltd. which is what lead to the creation of the Leading Edge Car Company. Breckland Technology Ltd. was led by an ex-Lotus engineer by the name of Mark Easton, and in order to develop the 190 RT, the team used an open-top body with an extruded aluminium central tub, allowing the total weight of the car to be just around 1,682lbs. The 240 RT which arrived at exactly the same time as the 190 RT was essentially an even slightly higher powered version of the 190 RT, and the ZZ. The ZZ carried a serious cult following in Japan before the Leading Edge Car Company re-named and re-marketed the car into the 190 and 240 RT in order to be sold in Europe, and crucially, the United States.
How many made? It’s possible only one car was built, but it’s unclear as to whether or not any were actually made beyond this red car. The ZZ was sold in approximately 200 units to the Japanese market before the takeover from the Leading Edge Car Company.
Engine: 2.0L 180bhp 16V DOHC Nissan
Debut: 2002
Top Speed: 140mph (claimed)
0-60mph: 4.8 seconds (claimed)
Photo Credit: Sergei Yakovlev
Research: @rarecarsonly