During this period, Ray had also helped establish Klemzig Auto Wreckers. In 1968 a dispute erupted between Ray and his partners and Ray left for overseas, putting a temporary halt to the fledgling sports car business. After three months, Ray returned with renewed enthusiasm. Rory had developed a new vehicle which he originally called a “Bacchus Mk 3” but the boys wanted a new name for their cars. They then selected the “Shrike” after South Australia’s emblem, the Piping Shrike but were beaten to the post by a competitor. They finally settled on “ASP” after the company’s initials.

Their first customer was Paul Hannon, who had frequented the ASP premises as a young boy, who was now employed by the Savings Bank of South Australia (SBSA now Bank SA) and wanted a car for himself. All of the cars built by Ray and Rory up to that time (including most other manufacturers) were characterised by a square front end. This consisted of two trussed square sections to hold the front suspension wishbones. Rory decided to simplify this design by continuing the taper from the firewall to the very front of the chassis and with this arrangement, the first ASP was born. The car was designated as an ASP 320. Paul was extremely pleased with his car, which led to the first ASP being featured in SBSA advertising during the early seventies. For a long time the SBSA pay slip envelopes all contained an image of that first ASP.

The cars created quite a stir in Adelaide and orders began to flood in. The boys began to get requests for special vehicles, so their range expanded to incorporate specialist cars for various purposes. (see model page for details). One of the most distinctive features of the ASPs was developed during this period. Traditionally, Bacchus and ASP vehicles were fitted with motor cycle style front guards. A number a manufacturers, including Lotus, had fitted “clamshell” guards to prevent debris and water from being sprayed up from the front wheels into the cabin. Ray and Colin Reilly developed a “sweeping guard” which was, in effect, a clamshell guard that extended back to the rear guard, providing protection from the exhaust system. This feature can be seen on some new ASPs today. The number of employees grew to match demand and, for a while, the future looked promising for ASP.

ASP 320 C in final construction inside Alpha Street Factory

By 1974 it became clear to Ray that the finances weren’t what they should be. A combination of a downturn in interest in clubman cars, too many models, modest pricing and the failure of some clients to pay convinced Ray to close down production. Alpha Sports Productions then went into hibernation as Ray opened a new wrecking yard at Parafield, in Adelaide’s north and the rest of the staff, including Rory turned to other work. Plans for a new car with a 1930’s style body, along with the beginnings of a chassis were shelved for the time being as Rory and Ray pursued their own goals.