Daren Mk.1

Daren Mk.1
Daren Mk.1 GT
Daren GT

The Daren Mk.1 GT at the Llandow Circuit in 1968
Designer(s)	John Green
Production	1
Successor	Daren Mk.2 (Daren) Jerboa SP (John Green)
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis	Merlyn Mk11
Length	3,556 millimetres (140.0 in)
Width	1,498.6 millimetres (59.00 in)
Height	1,049 millimetres (41.3 in)
Wheelbase	1,905 millimetres (75.0 in)
Engine	Longitudinally Mounted, Mid Engine, RWD
Transmission	5-speed Manual Hewland Mk5
Weight	1,180–1,350 pounds (540–610 kg)
Competition history
Entries Races Wins Podiums 9 7 4 2 Poles Titles 1 0

The Daren Mk.1 is the first car built by Daren Cars (now Hydrautug).

History

Daren Cars was founded in 1967, by racing driver John Green. The car was built on the chassis of a Merlyn MK11 Formula Ford. The car was successful in racing but would ultimately remain a one-off, but it raced with several engines throughout its life. The carwas successful enough to draw in at least 2 orders. Still, John Green elected to develop the Daren Mk.2 instead of further developing the Mk.1. But before John Green started the Mk.2 development, he began building the Jerboa SP. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Engines

Name	Engine Name	Displacement	Horsepower	HP RPM	Torque	Torque RPM
MK.1	Lotus-Ford Twin Cam [5]	1,598 cc (97.5 cu in)	115 bhp (117 PS; 86 kW)	6,500	135 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft)	3,800
Mk.1 GT	Holden FJ derived Holden grey [6]	2,160 cc (132 cu in)	173 bhp (175 PS; 129 kW)	5,700	220 N⋅m (160 lb⋅ft)	2,500
GT / MK.1/2	Martin branded Cosworth FVD	1,975 cc (120.5 cu in)	275 bhp (279 PS; 205 kW)	9,000	300 N⋅m (220 lb⋅ft)	3,900

References

1. "Daren Mk.1 specs, performance data". FastestLaps.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
2. "About HydrauTug, makers of airplane ground handling tugs and its origin in Daren Cars". darencars.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
3. "The Daring Daren | Colin Chapman Archive and Resource" . Retrieved 2025-02-07.
4. "Daren Mk.1 - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
5. Interfanatic (2015-04-11). "1969 Merlyn Mk. 11A Formula Ford". Checkered Past Racing™. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
6. "Daren Mk.1 specs, performance data". FastestLaps.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.