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Random TRANSPORTATION pictures - Page 2277 - Pelican Parts Forums

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Costin-Nathan

Costin-Nathan GT
https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/...Nathan-GT.html

Although the end-result looked little like anything he had designed before, Costin did incorporate many of the same ingredients found on his Marcos design. Most notable was his use of plywood for the centre section of the chassis. On both ends a tubular subframe was mounted to support the suspension and mid-mounted engine. One of the main reasons for the extensive use of wood was that it offered a strong, lightweight construction at the fraction of the cost of a similar aluminium chassis...................

Despite its very short career, the Costin-Nathan proved to be a very capable racer, but it failed to impress potential clients and left the scene almost as quickly as it burst onto it. The remaining examples still showcase Costin's unique talent for designing lightweight and very aerodynamic racers.

From the users comments:

Costin
Costinamigo
16-1-2003
"This car is actually a Costin-Nathan GT Coupe and was designed by Frank Costin who is the ""COS"" in Marcos. Frank's brother Mike is as indicated the ""COS"" in Cosworth. The Costin-Nathan was based on the design of the Costin Sports Racer, campaigned in California in 1965/66 by Norbert McNamara in SCCA events. The first Costin-Nathan was finished in 1966 as an open sports racer. The car was raced by Roger Nathan achieving class wins and lap records in it's first 6 races. In Paris for example, in October, Roger won the Coup'e de Vitesse having left the field far behind - including works Abarths. The Costin-Nathan GT Coupe, was initiated at the request of Roger Nathan, and Costin liked the idea because it would provide the opportunity to reduce aerodynamic drag even further than the open car. Most of the GT's were fitted with bored out 1 litre versions of the Hilman Imp engine, but some were also fitted with standard 850cc engines and some with 2 litre BMW engines. Roger Nathan in a 1 litre GT Coupe, captured 14 new lap records in 1967 and 1968 on his way to winning both the Motoring News and Total National GT championships. In 1967, Roger Nathan took over design and manufacturing of the Costin-Nathan and promptly re-named it the Nathan GT. Subsequently it was re-named again to Astra. Total production of Costin-Nathan's, Nathan GT's and Astra's was about 30 cars. Costin was responsible for about 6 open racers and 6 GT Coupe's. Costin later went on to design and build the Costin Protos and the Costin Amigo of which I have 3 of 8 built. During his career Frank Costin was involved in designs for Lotus, Maserati, Vanwall, TVR, Vauxhall and March not to mention the neumerous cars that he designed and built as ""Costins"". Regards Jonathon Till """