Rider AP: special Dutch kit car – From the Old Box

Kitcars or other open two-seaters in the spirit of the Lotus Seven have come in all shapes and sizes over the years. The creations of Caterham and Westfield are the most famous examples. In the early 90s, however, you also had something like the Ruiter AP. The what? Well, the view of the Lotus Seven that the Dutchman Ap de Ruiter from Zaandam had.

Of course we were curious what De Ruiter had made of it. At the end of 1991, the first Ruiter AP had just been born and AutoWeek was allowed to go and see what it represented. We did that at Circuit Zandvoort, for example, because on a circuit we were able to find out whether the Ruiter AP was just as sporty as its appearance suggested. At first, the Ruiter AP looked like a Lotus Seven, but a closer look showed that there were really some striking differences. The AP was quite a bit longer and wider. This was to benefit, among other things, the road holding and weight distribution.

The AP, which also looked a lot like a Donkervoort, had a 3.5-liter V8 from Rover in its nose. A considerably larger and more powerful block than the four-cylinder engine that was in the Lotus Seven. The V8 was placed as far back as possible in the long cigar-shaped body, for optimum weight distribution. As a result, the rear AP was even slightly heavier than the front. Combine that with an extremely low body and a total weight of 800 kilos and you knew for sure that it would be a sporty experience to drive.

“Just like a Formula 1 car!”

We also experienced that. Albeit partly based on the commentary that Dutch Racing School instructor Mike de Winter gave after a number of hot laps over Zandvoort. De Winter was very pleased with the AP. “That car steers wonderfully. So light and extremely direct. Just like a Formula 1 car. Brilliant!” The tubular frame set up by Ap de Ruiter with an extremely ingenious F1-like independent wheel suspension did its job. The latter was developed by De Ruiter together with Koni, not the least name. The shock absorbers also came from Koni. “Ap managed to achieve the special steering character of his car by placing the steering knuckles in the center of the front wheels. The brake discs are therefore not in the wheels, but more inwards. Thanks to this construction, the car steers (without power steering!) as a feather light and very direct.”

There were definitely downsides. For example, the interior was very simple and finished somewhat amateurishly. De Winter also noticed that the brakes could not function optimally and that the cooling of the engine was perhaps still a bit below par. Things that De Ruiter would work on. Above all, however, the image remained that De Ruiter had created something very cool. The aim was to sell the Ruiter AP as a kit or already built. Just what the customer wanted. For 24,000 guilders you could buy a kit with the tubular frame, the wheel suspension and the body. Then you could arrange things like an engine, gearbox, cardan shaft and steering column yourself. Stuff that you didn’t have to buy new, for example, but that you could also get from an older Rover (the engine) and a Ford Sierra (steering column and cardan). De Ruiter could supply you with a complete and built car for about 80,000 guilders.

The sequel

Reportedly, about twenty Riders AP were eventually built, some with a four-cylinder instead of a V8. It has therefore never become as big as Donkervoort, for example, although the omens were not necessarily wrong. So if you ever come across one, we’ll definitely recommend the ‘In the Wild’ section. Incidentally, the red one we drove in 1991 still has a valid registration number. It has been with its current and third owner since 2007.