Chinkara Roadster 1.8S

Safari the Porsche 911s! Safari the Lamborghinis! Safari the Ariel Atoms! Safari the Caterh…actually…may not have to.

When do you think this little backroad bomber hit the market in India? Hold that thought.

There's a fun, local, hard-packed gravel road shortcut on the route I used to take — just thinking of it is a reminder that I really enjoy driving on roads with loose surfaces, especially at relatively high speeds. Now I'm thinking: maybe I should get a Chinkara Roadster 1.8 S.

Created by an Indo-German (Indian-German) couple from the beach town of Alibag, near Mumbai, the Roadster is closer in concept and execution to the original Lotus Seven than most. (If you're wondering, "Chinkara" is, fittingly, a type of gazelle.)

With only 40 horsepower from a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine, the first Lotus Seven in 1957 was a budget sports car for enthusiasts interested in entry-level racing. It was small, light, and slow: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) was done in 16.2 seconds.

More importantly, it was assembled largely from off-the shelf components. Basic Ford engine and gearbox, off-the-shelf BMC rear axle — Lotus would sell you the car in a kit to assemble yourself.

The difference? Lotus was constantly racing, reengineering, and improving its machines.

Chinkara is built sporty like this mainly for the vibes (and because this is a damn sexy way to dress up decades-old parts).