Desperate for a release bearing
carrier (old kit car or what! dont ask..)

Give tiger racing a call. My dad said that they had a couple of Mk2 'tinas there a few weeks ago (not sure if he was right or not though). They may be able to help, or at least point you in the right direction if they cant.

David

Is it the type with the 2 bent wire clips and the D shape spacer ?

Would not say clips that retain it
to the lever but two turned over
peices of the retainer one of which
has broke off. Dont recall the spacer beind D shape either.

The type with the D spacer was the early Cortina type that came originally from the Anglia and is fitted to all Lotus Cortina models -- these went out of supply but repro ones are now made.
BUT that dosen't help you because it won't fite your later type bellhousing (I know I tried it the other way round).
Your best chance is the finding one through some of theowners clubs or if you can't converting to a Saab co-axial slave cylinder,