Ken Smith built his first special between November 1947 and May 1948, after a motorcycle accident forced a brief stay in hospital. It was heavily inspired by the Prototype Cooper using Fiat derived suspension at both ends linked by a ladder type chassis. The Smith Mk I used a JAP engine, mounted centrally, powering the rear wheels through a Norton gearbox.

He ran this car for two years until a significant shunt at Brands in October 1950, after which he commissioned a chassis from Bucker for his second car, the Smith Buckler.

Ken in the Mk I sometime in 1949

In January 1951, Iota published this article by Ken on his experiences.