1971 Nota Type IV ‘Fang’: A Classic Australian Sports Car

In: Automobile Designers, Decorative & Applied Arts
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1971 Nota Type IV 'Fang' sports car, Australian-designed prototype with a Mini Cooper 'S' transverse engine, painted in deep red with a minimalist, open-top design.
1971 Nota Type IV ‘Fang’ prototype from the RT Series, an Australian-designed sports car by Nota Engineering, featuring a rear-mounted Mini Cooper ‘S’ engine.

A Pioneering Australian Sports Car

The 1971 Prototype RT Series Nota Type IV ‘Fang’ is a landmark in Australian automotive history. Designed and built by Nota Engineering, a small yet influential Sydney-based automobile manufacturer, the Nota Fang responded to the growing demand for affordable yet high-performance sports cars. With a legacy of specialized sports car production, Nota Engineering remains one of Australia’s oldest specialist sports car manufacturers.

Front and side view of the 1971 Nota Type IV 'Fang' sports car, an Australian-designed prototype featuring a lightweight frame and Mini Cooper 'S' transverse engine.
The 1971 Nota Type IV ‘Fang’ prototype from the RT Series, an Australian-built sports car by Nota Engineering, designed for road and track performance with a minimalist, lightweight structure.

Background of the Nota Fang

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, traditional British roadsters such as the MGB and Austin Healey became increasingly expensive and luxurious, leaving a gap in the market for more affordable sports cars with racetrack capabilities. The Nota Fang was engineered to fill this niche.

Designed by Chris Buckingham, the Nota Fang was built for both road and competitive track work. It offers performance and agility at a fraction of the price of high-end sports cars. The 1971 prototype led to a production run of 105 vehicles between 1968 and 1975, making it Nota Engineering’s most successful road car and largest production model.

Design and Technological Innovations

One of the Nota Fang’s defining features was its lightweight construction and minimalist design. The car embodied the ethos of the Clubman class, which focused on lightweight frames combined with production engines to achieve impressive performance. Similar in philosophy to brands such as Canstel (NSW) and Elfin (South Australia), the Nota Fang carved its niche in the Australian sports car landscape.

The Nota Fang’s most notable engineering achievement was the rear-mounted Mini Cooper ‘S’ transverse engine. This configuration allowed for a remarkable power-to-weight ratio comparable to legendary cars like the Ferrari and the Ford Falcon GT Phase III. The result was a nimble, high-performance machine that could easily take on the racetrack.

Performance and Market Appeal

When the Nota Fang hit the market in 1971, it was priced at AUD 2000—only slightly more than a 1969 Datsun 1200. While it lacked luggage space and creature comforts, it made up for it with sheer driving excitement and performance.

The car’s appeal was its ability to bridge the gap between a race car and a street-legal sports car. It succeeded in club racing, hill climbs, and rallies, solidifying Nota Engineering’s reputation as a serious player in Australia’s sports car manufacturing scene.

Legacy and Influence

The Nota Fang’s impact extends beyond its production years. As one of the 30 serious Australian sports car manufacturers of its time, Nota Engineering remains one of the most successful brands, thanks to its innovative designs and track victories.

Today, the Nota Fang is celebrated among enthusiasts and collectors. It represents an era when Australian manufacturers could compete with the best in the world using ingenuity, lightweight construction, and innovative engineering. It continues symbolising affordable, high-performance sports cars and remains a cherished part of Australia’s automotive heritage.

Key Takeaways

  • The Nota Fang was built to fill the niche of an affordable sports racing car.
  • Chris Buckingham designed the car, producing 105 units from 1968 to 1975.
  • Its rear-mounted Mini Cooper ‘S’ transverse engine gave it an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.
  • The Nota Fang competed in track racing, hill climbs, and rallies, making it one of Australia’s most successful homegrown sports cars.
  • Nota Engineering remains one of the longest-running Australian specialist sports car manufacturers.

The Nota Fang embodies the spirit of lightweight, performance-driven engineering. It proved that small workshop manufacturers could produce competitive, thrilling cars. Whether on the road or track, it remains an icon of Australian sports car history.

Sources

Powerhouse Museum. (n.d.). 1971 prototype RT series Nota Type IV ‘Fang’. Powerhouse Collection. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/107598

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