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Alpha Sports Productions (ASP) was a proudly South Australian car manufacturer with a rich history of building performance-focused, lightweight sports and racing cars. Founded in the early 1960s by Ray Lewis and Rory Thompson, ASP grew from humble beginnings into a beloved marque among enthusiasts of Clubman racers and home-built sports cars. Although the company ceased operations following Rory Thompson’s passing in 2020, many of the final cars were completed in the years that followed by dedicated builders and enthusiasts.

 

Founding and Early Years (1962–1970)

 

The ASP story begins with the friendship between Ray Lewis, co-owner of Lewis Brothers Buses and MG enthusiast, and Rory Thompson, a mechanical engineering student and motorsport fan. Introduced by mutual friend Peter Ivy, the pair bonded over a shared passion for cars and soon began working together in the Alpha Street garage attached to the Lewis family home in Kensington, Adelaide.

 

Their earliest projects included building fiberglass hardtops for MG-As and working on Lotus Sevens for Derek Jolly. Thompson identified weaknesses in the Seven’s chassis and began designing a more rigid spaceframe. When Jolly needed a chassis to clear customs on a Coventry Climax engine, Lewis and Thompson delivered—and ASP was born.

 

Bacchus Series (1964–1968)

 

The first full vehicles, called Bacchus (after the Roman god of revelry), were designed and built between 1964 and 1968. These were open Clubman racers featuring RHS spaceframes, various engines, and motorcycle-style front guards.

 

 

The ASP Name and Growth (1970–1974)

 

Originally called "Shrike" (after the South Australian piping shrike), the name ASP was adopted after discovering the former was already in use. ASP stood for Alpha Sports Productions.

 

Their first true ASP-branded car was the 320A, a tapered chassis Clubman roadster built for Paul Hannon. It became an icon, featuring in advertising for the Savings Bank of South Australia.

 

ASP quickly expanded their range to include race-only and road/race variants. Chassis production was aided by a jig built from a modified FJ Holden alignment frame, ensuring consistency across builds.

 

ASP 320 Series (1970–1979, revived 2002–2019)

 

The ASP 320 became the most prolific model, built in several generations and both race and road trim. Each version used RHS spaceframes with light construction and highly tuneable suspension.

 

320A (1970)

• Chassis No.: 7

• Engine: Ford 1500

• Purpose: Road

• Notable Owner: Paul Hannon (appeared in SBSA advertising)

 

320B (1971)

• Chassis Nos.: 8–10, 14

• Engine: Toyota 3K 1100

• Purpose: Racing

• Notes: Originally fitted with sweeping guards, later revised due to high-speed stability issues.

 

320C (1971–1974)

• Chassis Nos.: 11–13, 15–20

• Engine: Mostly Toyota 3K 1100; exceptions included Ford 1600 (R. White) and Toyota 1600 (D. Dixon)

• Purpose: Road

• Current Status: Several still exist, some rebuilt; chassis 19 crashed and rebuilt by Rory.

 

320D (1976)

• Chassis No.: 21

• Engine: Nissan 1200, later Galant 1400

• Purpose: Road

• Owner: R. Thompson

 

320E (1979)

• Chassis No.: 35

• Engine: Astron 2.0L → Toyota 4A → Toyota 4AGE 1600

• Purpose: Road

• Notes: Initially Morgan-styled but later reverted to standard Clubman bodywork.

 

320F (1997)

• Chassis No.: 35 (duplicate)

• Engine: Toyota 4AGE

• Purpose: Road

• Notes: Damaged during torsion testing, later raced by David Sprodd.

 

320G (2007–2019)

• Chassis Nos.: 39–53+

• Engine: Toyota 4AGE 16V/20V

• Purpose: Road (ICV-compliant)

• Features: Coilover suspension, LSD, Penske shocks, Cobra race seats (some builds)

• Notable Owners: Rodney Gibb (Ch. 47), R. Thompson (Ch. 53)

 

ASP 330 Series (1971–1980s)

 

A venture into open-wheel single-seaters, the ASP 330 was a Formula 2 and 3 race car. Designed with RHS spaceframes, tubular suspension, and Hewland/Hollinger transaxles.

 

ASP 340 Series (1971–1973)

 

Purpose-built lightweight Clubman race cars conforming to 1300cc clubman and Group A sportscar regulations. These cars featured upgraded rear suspension designs and refined aerodynamics.

 

340A

• Chassis No.: 22

• Engine: Mitsubishi Galant 1400

• Original Owner: Doug Potts

• Current Status: Converted to road car by Col Reilly

 

340B

• Chassis Nos.: 23–24

• Engines: Toyota Celica 1600 (Doig), Ford 1600 → 4AGE 20V (Wallace)

• Status: #23 still raced by Jim Doig; #24 possibly owned by Hamish Laurie

 

340C

• Chassis Nos.: 29–34

• Engines: Datsun A12, Toyota 3K

• Suspension: Front double wishbone; rear A-frame and links

• Known Owners:

  • #29: A. Middleton (Brisbane)

  • #30: Guy Chick (Ex David McBean)

  • #31: B. Collison (ex-Walsh)

  • #32: Jeremy Durward (ex-Ken Durward)

  • #33: D. Barram (ex-John Blanden)

  • #34: Bruce Dalziel (ex-J. Bidstrup)

 

ASP 350 Series (2002–2019)

 

Modern roadsters using donor Holden running gear, designed for easy assembly and vintage looks.

 

In Memoriam: Ray Lewis and Rory Thompson

 

Raymond James Lewis passed away in 2005. Though his last years were affected by health complications, he remained involved with ASP. He contributed to the design of the updated Targa-style roll bars used by Group Two and helped shape the visual legacy of ASP until his final days.

 

Rory Thompson passed away in 2020. A passionate engineer, Rory was the driving force behind ASP’s technical achievements and revival in the early 2000s. His dedication ensured that ASP remained true to its roots in quality, performance, and community. His passing marked the end of ASP as an active manufacturer, though several chassis were completed posthumously by the final generation of builders inspired by his vision.

 

A Lasting Legacy

 

Although ASP no longer operates as a company, its legacy lives on in the cars that continue to be raced, restored, and enjoyed by their owners. From club racing to track days, from suburban garages to concours lawns, ASP cars represent over 50 years of Australian engineering spirit and grassroots motorsport passion.