Other mid engine kit cars. - Page 2

Rick Muck- Mark IV · 05-12-03, 07:30 PM

Juan,

"Where would you drive it here?"

Anywhere we dang well please!!

I LOVE driving thru Byfleet being held up by a bunch of doddering pensioners in the universally popular Austin Metro with proper tat applied from the auto aisle at Tesco. And they only drive the Austin because they can't get a new Wollesley anymore! While many of us Yanks have trouble at the roundabouts, so does a large portion of the UK population!

Neither country has a lock on poor driving skills.

Rick [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Gary Gibbs · 05-12-03, 09:14 PM

Does anyone know which transaxle the Phantom GTR or Noble is using?

Rick Muck- Mark IV · 05-13-03, 08:29 AM

Noble uses the Ford transaxle (MTX somethin' I think) but is preparing to use the new Ford 6 speed as available in the Euro Mondeo.

My understanding is they are pretty robust and have not had any problems with the power output from the turbo 3.0L

Rick [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Brett James-McCall · 05-13-03, 09:08 AM

OK guys here it is....

Me works in the blue oval in Europe so I'll do my best....

If the Noble is using a MTX something as stated above then the box will be a MTx75, which for all you european guys will probably best love and know in any Ford (Foc & Mondeo) over 1.8.

However, the 6 speed is something completely different. If you keep tabs on you automotive press you may remember a few years ago that Ford and Getrag joined hands to manufacture manual trans. This is where the 6 spd box comes in. And that's all I can say at the moment. Soz

Brett

alex · 05-13-03, 04:08 PM

OOOH Brett,

You sneaky devil. But I would say you are not the only one what works for 'the company' on the site. There are sometimes the odd feindishly crafted marketing questions thrown into the mix. Personally though I will also put my hands up, Ford Europe subsidised my Masters and all but paid for a Ph.D. - I helped them sell lots of cars but never directly recieved a paycheque from them.

Back to cars, the gearbox in the Phantom is the standard auto or manual from the Rover 827. Check www.phantom.uk.com or for a review check www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/ and find the phantom review.

Apologies to MK IV I was not doubting the driving skills or infering a lack of them over the pond. My concern is that when faced with thousands of 'small cars' the size of a male bull elephants I would also rather be in something similarly sized. To me it appears that the part of Florida I frequent (no not Orlando) is only inhabited by pickups, SUV's and knackered Camaro's. Maybe I should get around more but I like the area.

Look at the pix of the Phantom, see what ya'all think and then consider it was around before the Noble and the Exige.

Regards, Juan.

Rick Muck- Mark IV · 05-13-03, 04:21 PM

Juan,

I was led to believe recently that Phantom was re-engineering the car to take the Mondeo powertrain with plans of marketing the car as a complete, certified automobile.

I have a business associate that has seen, driven and reviewed the Phantom with interest in marketing it in the US. Alas this did not work out but he was impressed with the car.

Rick [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

P.S.-It isscary driving in Florida with all the "rent-a-racer" drivers who don't know where they are going, the "blue-hairs" who can't see over the dash of the late husbands Cadillac and the "Monster truck wannbees" in the 4x4s with "Monster Mudder Super Gumbo" tires that you can hear coming about a mile away....

Brett James-McCall · 05-14-03, 04:52 AM

Hey Juan,
Don't get me wrong.... I'm here because I love the GT and I also have a KVA in bits in my garage at home. However, the stuff above is all public domain...

As for the Phantom, I looked at it some years ago when I was at uni. Have you ever thought of having a look at the GTM Libra ( www.gtmcars.co.uk )? I was thinking of going down that road, but decided to bite the bullet and just go staright to the GT (even if it does take me 10 years to build)

Brett

alex · 05-14-03, 05:45 PM

Bret & MK IV,

I first spoke with the nice guys from Phantom at the NEC a couple of years ago and also more recently. They build club racers and have this desire to produce a good sports gt - which IMHO they almost have. However, what they lack three things: a bit of consumer input on the vehicle, the Rover 827 components they use are a bit 1970's; marketing ability, thrust a good finished vehicle at the press; a white knight, Lee Noble had financial backing from Tony Moy - the project would not fail!

I asked why they did not use something a bit more current like the Mondeo V6 instead of relying on scrapyard technology - subtle question I thought. I was told that they would allow for most powertrains to be fitted, some time later their web site offered the Mondeo option but, the site has since been changed and I have not been through it yet to see what is still offered.

Like most kit producers they will produce a turn key. For around £30 - 35k ish, I recall but don't quote me.

I was'nt having a dig Brett, apologies if I offended. At least you have something in the garage. After much cogitating and looking at GTD's I went to Donnington in 2001 to look at the company and their car. I met the litigous one whose name is not to be whispered. We talked about the car and the new stainless monocoque they were supposed to be bringing in from South Africa. So I waited until around easter 2002 for their demo monocoque to arrive and started trying to phone - no answer. Anyway, long story short, I meet the 40 owners club people at the classic car show and I am told that GTD is defunct. At least I did'nt shell out a deposit.

So whats the KVA like then?

Regards, Juan.

Brett James-McCall · 05-15-03, 05:44 AM

Juan,
You didn't offend, you also have mail [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

05-15-03, 05:39 PM

Juan,
I see you have an interest in a KVA.
Are you interested in a rolling chassis/body, etc?
Regards,
Graham @ GTA Racing.

alex · 05-15-03, 06:40 PM

Brett,

Noted. Will get back to you, wife commandeered the computer today.

GTA Racing,

Call me cautious. From my previous post you will see I spent a lot of time looking at GTD's before trying to commit to buying one. Thanks for the offer but at the moment I am looking around at all the alternatives before emptying my hobby fund.

Regards, Juan.

[ May 15, 2003: Message edited by: Juan HuNose ]