GT40s.com - View Single Post - Are any replicas feasible as daily drivers?

spinsky · 02-16-03, 05:15 PM

Hi all.

I really appreciate this thread, as I have been wondering the same thing---is it really just a fair weather track novelty or can you take it to the office? Obviously, it depends where that office is. And it surely depends greatly on which car you mean. Are there great differences between ERAs, CAVs, real cars, GTDs, etc, etc. How could it not be so, I wonder. Even car no. 1 will differ much from car no. 14 from the same fabricator from what I have seen. E.g. early CAVs aparently had a screwed-on plastic rear window (like the side windows) I am told. Later ones are glass. Presumably the glass has a better seal and optics, and is less prone to scratch???Comments on these topics would be of great value. Even generalizations would be a start.

I would find it absurd to try to use these cars regularly in a climate with serious weather. Irregularly, for sure, but regularly, no. In ANY condition, I think it is essential to have a (cheap but reliable) car to depend on for those days --however few--when you really don't want to risk a mishap with your dreamcar. I.e.--Just always own a cheap old Honda to keep on the street. You'll absolutely need one anyway just to go to the market since these cars handle zero cargo!!

I live in LA and we have no weather, so everyone thinks. But here's my worry:
First, will a momentary traffic stall force you to the shoulder so you can keep speed above 30 mph just to avoid your motor blowing up from heat? This is a notorious disadvantage of many sports cars, and I would expect the later replicas to have solved this with their hi-speed fans, 6-core aluminum radiators, new electronics, better thermostats and switches, etc. Yes???? Please someone say yes....

Next, does the damn thing leak? As an Angelino, I don't even keep my Pantera windshield wipers on the car most of the time--they are in my trunk because I am vain. Imagine how iritating to have to put them on during a trip to Santa Barbara a couple years ago when rain cauught me by surprise. No way to turn back. But the worst of it was when I discovered the leak at the windshield that caused all my fuses to short out, including my cooling fans. Nice long trailer ride back to LA. My "daily driver" left a little to be desired until I found and cured the leak. So even here in LaLaLand, I want a car that seals. After all, I do plan to wash it..... (heresy I know).....

On this issue, I sat in a replica recently and was able to see daylight between the door and the roof when I closed myself in. Not too good protection against the errant rain event. Only one possible description--rickety! Are they all prone to this?

Lastly--ride. This varies too between makers,I am sure. How still are the shocks? How comfortable the seats? Is there any sound insulation? Are all the clutches like leg press machines?

While this is a very individual issue, if one could get a sense of all these issues, it would be easier to determine how drivable these things are for one's self. Thanks--you guys are great.

02-16-03, 05:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
spinsky Rookie Join Date: Jan 2003 GT40: los angeles Posts: 26 Rep Power: 6	Re: Are any replicas feasible as daily drivers? Hi all. I really appreciate this thread, as I have been wondering the same thing---is it really just a fair weather track novelty or can you take it to the office? Obviously, it depends where that office is. And it surely depends greatly on which car you mean. Are there great differences between ERAs, CAVs, real cars, GTDs, etc, etc. How could it not be so, I wonder. Even car no. 1 will differ much from car no. 14 from the same fabricator from what I have seen. E.g. early CAVs aparently had a screwed-on plastic rear window (like the side windows) I am told. Later ones are glass. Presumably the glass has a better seal and optics, and is less prone to scratch???Comments on these topics would be of great value. Even generalizations would be a start. I would find it absurd to try to use these cars regularly in a climate with serious weather. Irregularly, for sure, but regularly, no. In ANY condition, I think it is essential to have a (cheap but reliable) car to depend on for those days --however few--when you really don't want to risk a mishap with your dreamcar. I.e.--Just always own a cheap old Honda to keep on the street. You'll absolutely need one anyway just to go to the market since these cars handle zero cargo!! I live in LA and we have no weather, so everyone thinks. But here's my worry: First, will a momentary traffic stall force you to the shoulder so you can keep speed above 30 mph just to avoid your motor blowing up from heat? This is a notorious disadvantage of many sports cars, and I would expect the later replicas to have solved this with their hi-speed fans, 6-core aluminum radiators, new electronics, better thermostats and switches, etc. Yes???? Please someone say yes.... Next, does the damn thing leak? As an Angelino, I don't even keep my Pantera windshield wipers on the car most of the time--they are in my trunk because I am vain. Imagine how iritating to have to put them on during a trip to Santa Barbara a couple years ago when rain cauught me by surprise. No way to turn back. But the worst of it was when I discovered the leak at the windshield that caused all my fuses to short out, including my cooling fans. Nice long trailer ride back to LA. My "daily driver" left a little to be desired until I found and cured the leak. So even here in LaLaLand, I want a car that seals. After all, I do plan to wash it..... (heresy I know)..... On this issue, I sat in a replica recently and was able to see daylight between the door and the roof when I closed myself in. Not too good protection against the errant rain event. Only one possible description--rickety! Are they all prone to this? Lastly--ride. This varies too between makers,I am sure. How still are the shocks? How comfortable the seats? Is there any sound insulation? Are all the clutches like leg press machines? While this is a very individual issue, if one could get a sense of all these issues, it would be easier to determine how drivable these things are for one's self. Thanks--you guys are great.