Value of GTD-40?

BradS · 12-04-03, 06:59 AM

Hi folks! I'm new to the GT-40 scene, following a visit to a 'toy store' and the viewing of a great-looking GTD. Problem is, I have no idea of the true value of the car in question and would appreciate your comments.

This vehicle is NOT road certified (no turn signals, mufflers, etc.), but that's not such a bad thing for me. Cosmetics are perfect, engine sounds very nice (but LOUD!). Engine is a 302 Ford, supposedly bumped to 300HP.

I had no idea this car would strike me as hard as it did. It is flat-out gorgeous! There's darn little room inside, though. You guys are nuts. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, I believe the car can be had for around $50K US. Dealer is a friend of a friend, and says the 'real' value may be as high as $80K. Hmmmm. That makes me suspicious.

Do the chassis and engine numbers make sense to you?

Thanks in advance for your comments and help. Here's a few shots of the car, reduced in size for easier downloading.

Brad

JP · 12-04-03, 07:22 AM

This car looks very standard.

$80,000 is taking the piss!

$50,000 is overpriced!

and I would offer no more than $30,000.

Unfortunately you'll need to do alot of work to make it go as well as it looks.

Regards,

J.P

rbrunckhorst · 12-04-03, 07:31 AM

Nice looking car. Its hard to decide what the value is with out knowing whether its a replica or an original. For an original GT40 you might want to add another 0. If it is a replica than its important to know which engine and transaxle. A 302 putting out 300 hp seems a little low, but considering most of these cars are less than 2300lbs, it should still perform well. Lastly, you can get into a brand new turnkey without engine and transaxle for about 65K or build your own with the engine and transaxle for the same. The advantage of this approach is you get to customize the car to your own specs. Good luck. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Ron Earp · 12-04-03, 07:54 AM

$80k is a huge stretch for that machine. And buyign for $50k would not be wise. From the looks of it there are some bits that need to be upgraded to bring it to a nice level and a fair amount that needs to be fixed. I'd offer in the $30k-$40k range.

It is a replica.

R

BradS · 12-04-03, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the quick feedback, everyone. I do understand the car's a replica, built by GT Developments. Yup, adding a zero to the price would be needed for an original. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

From your comments, it looks like somebody has too much money invested in this one...

Brad

Fran Hall RCR · 12-04-03, 08:14 AM

That car is a KVA and came from England to the states last year and had a cosmetic make over before being sold at an auction in Michigan.
It went through the auction but did not sell and was bought by a dealer for Michigan for around 42k and then sold on to a customer for more.
It has a Renault trans and standrad KVA/GTD brakes.
It runs very nicely from what I can recall.
Hope this helps....its not a bad car and is very usable...Actually not a bad deal at around 40k as it is already here in the USA and IT IS EASILY HOPPED UP... It was titled here in Michigan so I dont know why its not road ready ?????
It used to belong to a member of this board that will make himself known if he wants to...

Martin Weigold · 12-04-03, 08:34 AM

I can't comment on values in the USA for GTDs but in the UK, a car with that spec (very basic as a lot of GTDs have been highly modified) and condition would go for around £24k. That is around $40k at current ex rates.

BradS · 12-04-03, 08:47 AM

You're right on the money about the car's location in Michigan and about its recent history.

>It used to belong to a member of this board that will make himself known if he wants to...

I hope so. It would be great to hear more details about the car.

Brad

Fran Hall RCR · 12-04-03, 03:53 PM

Remember that this car is already HERE and available....
shipping is a royal pain and expensive,as most of us have found out and titling can also be a hassle.....
Take all that into consideration and if this car was available in the 45-50k range and someone wants to drive and tinker,not completely build, along the way it may not be too bad of a deal as all the current cars with a good pedigree, available for sale are significantly more money.....

40 Bud · 12-04-03, 05:00 PM

This looks like a pre 1993 GTD and is certainly the standard unit. As long as you understand that you will probably want to upgrade the brakes, move the steering rack to improve bump steer, possibly upgrade the radiator and cooling fans and either convert to 17" wheels for available tires (or live with the limited sizes available for 15"), this could be a reasonable buy at about $38,000 to $42,000. I believe that this car with these improvemnts (if it has a good build quality) should sell for $60,00 plus assuming it has A/C. A closer look at the dash has me wondering what gauges were used. They look like the GTD units were replaced with possibly chrome bezel Stewart Warner units. On closer inspection of your pictures I would conclude that it is more than likely a 1988 or earlier model. This is because of the locking clamps used for the front and rear section. These were dropped about late 1989.

Howard Jones · 12-04-03, 05:16 PM

I am at the sand the body work stage and expect to complete my GTD's paint this spring. When all is said and done I expect to have right at 50K into my car. This includes a full SCCA rollcage $2500, 17" BRM knockoff wheels and adapters $1800, $4000 Engine, paint $3000+, and at least another $2000 in assorted upgrades such as complete redesign of AC system, oil system, cooler and remote filter, clutch etc. The last phase will include willwood brakes all around $1200. All these are rounded off but you do the math.

When you consider that my GTD kit cost 34K 4 years ago and I work on the car a honest average of 10-12hrs a week, for going on 4 years, something like 2500 hours with 100s to go, your cost of 50K is still a few K higher than I will have in a much upgraded car.

Then again you must value your labor. It is either free because you consider building a car a hobbie or you would rather just drive it in which case ERA gets something like 10K to build one of theirs for a customer. Check that price its been a while since I was at their website.

You also have added value of time and avalbility. The car is done and not a bunch of boxes in the garage and it is not often there are very many of these cars for sale in the USA. All of the ones, ALL GT40 MAKES, that I am aware of have gone for more than that, 50k, here in the USA in the last couple of years.

I have no way to know how much money 50K is to you.
If you "just gotta have it" then use the 50K figure as a starting point and make them a offer. Discount the need to add lights, muffler, etc. and this car is pretty old as GT40 kits go. KVA predated GTD's and pretty much everyone else came after that.

I hope this helps. One final though, If you can have someone who knows these cars look at it for you that might help. If the guy who owned it before would contact you via private message that would be a big plus. I don't know this car myself. Should you be out on the west coast soon you would be welcome to stop by. Contact me via e-mail

Good luck, welcome to the life!!!

Both Ron and Buds figures, high 30s low 40s, are right in the ballpark and both of these guys know what they are talking about. Show the dealer this stuff and see how it goes. Oh and 80K is too much for this car. New RF's, MDA's and CAV's can be had for that kind of money.

jercarnut · 12-04-03, 05:20 PM

Gentleman, my son-in-law and I attend the Auburn Auction yearly. We seen this 40 go on the block in September. The auctioneer tried to get the bidding started at 55,000 and it went nowhere quick. I personally think the car needs a different set of seats. Also a many hours of TLC. Then I would like to see it go on the block again.