Key facts
- Founded
- 1997
- Founded by
- Martin Keenan
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Headquarters
- Braintree, United Kingdom
- Parent company
- Kit Car Direct
- Legal name
- MK Automotive Limited
- Famous models
- Indy, RX-5, Sprint 185, Cup 200, GT-1
- Website
- www.mksportscars.com
MK Sportscars Brand Overview
MK Sportscars was founded in 1997 in the United Kingdom by Martin Keenan. The brand specializes in lightweight UK sports cars and kit cars. Its core identity centers on blending classic sports car aesthetics with modern engineering.
The company began with an early kit car focus. Martin Keenan initially produced chassis and suspension components before developing the company’s own roadster in 2000.
MK Sportscars History and Timeline
The brand was formally established in 1997, as indicated by EST 1997 in the current logo. In 2004 the company was sold by founder Martin Keenan to Phil and Barry Lunn. The business transferred to Danny Keenan in 2014.
On 26 November 2024 the MK Indy Project was sold to Kitcardirect with the aim to restore the product to former glory. MK Sportscars USA serves as the US affiliate.
- 1997: Brand formally established
- 2004: Company sold to Phil and Barry Lunn
- 2014: Ownership transferred to Danny Keenan
- 2024: MK Indy Project sold to Kitcardirect
MK Sportscars Logo Evolution
The visual identity of MK Sportscars has evolved while maintaining core symbolic elements. Logo changes have been tied to periods of ownership transition and brand stabilization.
Early 2000s – 2010s: Original Shield Monogram

The old logo featured a bold shield-like emblem that symbolized strength and heritage. This design represented the brand during its initial kit car development phase.
- Design: Bold shield-like emblem with central MK monogram
- Colors: Solid black letters on white background
- Changes: Stark assertive font with high contrast
- Context: Used during early ownership under founder Martin Keenan and after the 2004 sale
The MK Sportscars logo from this era featured interlocked letters within the classical shield shape. This MK Sportscars emblem conveyed a robust identity grounded in tradition.
2010s – present: Updated Shield with Heritage Marker

The current logo preserves the shield motif while adding the EST 1997 marker to emphasize the founding year. This redesign occurred after ownership changes and reflects a bridge between past and future.
- Design: Preserved shield shape with added text and stylized lines
- Colors: Gradient of gray shades
- Changes: Addition of EST 1997 and motion-suggesting lines beneath monogram
- Context: Introduced following the 2014 ownership transfer to Danny Keenan
This MK Sportscars car logo maintains continuity through the unchanged shield while incorporating modern elements. The MK Sportscars symbol now explicitly references the brand’s founding year.
The MK Sportscars logo history shows a clear evolution that mirrors company development. From basic kit car components the brand moved toward more refined performance vehicles. The MK Sportscars badge retains its classical roots while embracing contemporary styling.
The addition of EST 1997 in the current design directly references the 1997 founding. This change highlights a conscious effort to emphasize heritage across ownership transitions from Martin Keenan to the Lunn brothers and later to Danny Keenan.
Retention of the shield shape across both logo eras symbolizes continuity for MK Sportscars. The shift from pure black-and-white to gradient and motion elements reflects the company’s growth in the lightweight sports car segment.