A New GT40 replica is Coming - Superformance

[Ron Earp]

I’ve recently received a private message from a forum member in the UK regarding a new GT40 that is to become available in the spring. Said car is to have a mono chassis per original with only slight improvements – basically a dead ringer sans original chassis defects. I’m told the car is to be sold through Superfomance dealers in the US and the price is to be very competitive with the CAV mono offering except the design is per original and not conforming to an existing suspension geometry as the CAV car. Not sure about UK availability as I don't think Superformance is over in the UK.

I took a look through back threads on the forum and it is now evident that something is going on with a new GT40 coming to market. Some of the info was wrapped up in other threads, such as info about CAV workers etc, mono chassis designs, etc. But there is something going on – a mystery of sorts.

So, can someone who is enlightened on the matter tell us what is happening? It appears that information is circulating through the grapevine but not out in the open where it might be of benefit to all.

[RobBeddington]

Ron

As far as I am aware, and if this is the one you've heard about, Superformance let the cat out of the bag around springtime this year that they had a GT40 replica in the pipe, but it's gone a little quiet since then. Bob Negstad, who designed the original GT40 suspension and who worked for Ford for over 30 years, was engineer on the Superformance/Brock Daytona Coupe until he passed away before the project was completed, so there is a strong GT40 link with Superformance. I'm sure Bob's original design would have been an important part of the package. One thing's for sure, if Brock Daytona Coupe prices are anything to go by, it won't be cheap - but it will be good.

Rob

[Howard Jones]

I am aware of a superperformance dealer in the western US that is being very closed liped about this. I have had my car over there and he showed a lot of interest in pricing and demand. That is a sure give a way when a hot rod guy is more interested in market information than where did you get that carb tuned etc.

The turnkey cobras are going for about 60-70K here in Calif. USA with 550 hp 460s. I am sure that the 40s will be more. A lot of this priceing question is back to our old friend gearbox. This could add $6000 or more to a cars design depending on selection of type.

The demand here in Calif would be for a 351 with about 500hp so where does that leave us? G50ish or ZF is my guess.

I bet these cars are going to be just slightly less than a 80-90k finished ERA, with a shorter wait. We will have to wait to see if I'm right.

I wonder if there is enough demand for a 500 foot/pound 6 speed gearbox to get them down to 5K or so. If enough of these cars, ERA, CAV, RF, MDA, and this new one are built, there just might be.

[Mike Dozier]

Ron

Andre's posts made it pretty clear that Superformance was going to launch an MK II mono in 2004 at a competitive price.
Could mean BIG trouble for ERA/CAV. We'll have to see.

Although Andre never mentioned the MK I, I assumed that
would also be available or shortly follow since they are
so similar.

Out of my price range...but definitely way cool!

MikeD

[Robert Shepherd]

Ron,
The Australian Classic Car Yearbook 2004 which recently came out contains an advertisement for Cobra Technology Centre Pty Ltd who are the Australian agent and importers of Superformance cars. At the bottom of their ad there is a line stating;
" Coming soon....Superformance GT40....Superformance Daytona Coupe" '
They aren't hiding the fact that these are on the way.
Meanwhile I am more than happy with the quality and fabulous service I have had from Roaring Forties on my car, RF No. 77.
Robert

[Ron Earp]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the info. I like my RF car too and am not switching so please don't read my statement like that. I'm sure some people my switch cars or sell based on information coming out on a new car but I'm building mine to keep. I'm sure there is a new car coming, I would just like to see the information out front.

I've just been trying to piece together bits and pieces I've seen here and over on Club Cobra. From what I can gather CAV is now building Shelby CSX numbered fiberglass Cobras for Shelby American. These cars are priced around $43,000 as a completed roller minus engine and transmission and would directly compete with Superformance's Cobra offerings. At that price, with a CSX number that some folks care about, they'll have an impact on Superformance's nice Cobras if CAV can match Superformance's quality, which I assume they will.

From other sources on Club Cobra, which I don't know the validilty of, there was some sort of walk-out at the CAV factory in which workers from CAV went to work for Superformance. There was a reported delay in Cobra's from CAV which may or may not be related but it now appears that this has been solved according to posts from Shelby American. With all of the folks on the board, US, UK, CAV folks, and Andre40 in SA, etc, etc., etc. someone knows the complete story of the cars and factories since they appear to be interelated. Of course, it might not be anything to the multiple threads and variations of such on the forums at all, just a bunch of talk!

At any rate, times are good and there are many GT40s to choose from - many more so than at any time in the past. Competition is good for the market as evidenced with these two companies producing some nice cars for the consumer.

Oh, as a side note the Superformance Daytona Coupe is available here now but there is a big story with it too since Shelby tried to stop it from being imported etc. Big mess.

[Rick Chattell]

Hi Guys,

I think I can add a little bit to the Superformance piece.

It has been an open secret for a little under a year that they are in the process of designing a GT40. I am sure it will be a nice car and it is supposed to be very close to the original (with all the associated benefits and drawbacks I suppose)

I have also heard unconfirmed reports that it will be at least 18 months before the car is ready for viewing and possibly a lot longer before it is saleable.

Superformance make very nice cars and i am sure this will be no exception, but I am very confident of the quality and value for money of the CAV and so I am far from worried!

To echo Ron's comment, I think it is great to have so many quality manufacturers on the scene (for diversity and customer choice) and there is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition!

Rick Chattell

[RobBeddington]

I've spoken with Rod Leach, UK Cobra specialist and distributor of the Superformance/Brock Daytona Coupe in the UK (they call it the "Le Mans Coupe" over here). Rod is also pretty sure that the Superformance GT40 won't appear in 2004. He's not sure if he or Nigel Hulme, the importer of the Daytona, will be involved in bringing the GT40 to these shores either.

Is there anyone else out there lining up to import these?

Rob
PS Slightly off topic but The Daytona Coupe will be at Autosport International at the NEC from 8-11 January 2004. The drivetrain had not been fitted to the UK car at the November show, and it will now be shown complete for the first time.

[Ron Earp]

So Rod Leach is the Superformance dealer in the UK? I didn't know they had one there as I searched their site for any UK contacts. Or do you guys have a setup where a specialist can import any type of car without being a dealer? I didn't think Superformance would do something like that, they are tight knit in the US. Interesting information then in any case.

[RobBeddington]

Ron

As I understand it, Nigel Hulme was appointed importer for the Coupe by Superformance quite a while back. (Nigel was the owner of the 1963 Le Mans Cobra "39 PH" until recently and assisted Hawk Cars in producing a very nice limited edition replica of this car). Nigel then appointed Rod Leach's Nostalgia as sole distributor. With Rod's reputation, this gives the car some real kudos over here, but I guess it has also increased the price-tag.

Although it would be unusual, given Rod's comments I guess that there could be a different importer/distributor for the GT40 in the UK, as his bread and butter has always been all things Cobra. It will be interesting to see how things pan out.

Rob

[40 Bud]

I repeat what I was told during the Monterey Historics. Pete Brock said that they were working on building a proper replica of the original GT40. They have a lot of auto manufacturing capacity in the Port Elizabeth area and they have lined up a source for stamping the roof center section. This was apparently one of the more difficult endeavors. Peter felt that they would be looking to be able to start offering the units for sale by the fall of 2004. I am looking forward to seeing how accurate Pete was in his predictions!

[RobBeddington]

I received this in an email from Pete Brock today:

< A GT40 from Superformance is just about complete. Release date is still not confirmed, as much will depend on how the Brock Coupe does on the market and the actual price of the Ford GT. PB >

Cheers

Rob

[Howard Jones]

That is right in line with what I was thinking. I f Ford sells their brand new GT's for 125K or so then selling 85K replicas of a 40 year old design is going to be difficult. This makes the business decision a very hard one.

[Mike Dozier]

Sounds like the decision has already been made,
the tooling is nearly done, and the cars will be sold.
IMHO they will succeed in surpassing ERA and CAV sales
ASSUMING the price is $ 85k and the product will be as
accurate as predicted.

Of course we're talking small quantities here...nothing
like the 1500 GTs per year from Ford or 1500 Cobras per
year from Factory Five. My guess is 30-50 per year.

MikeD

[Kevin M]

Ford may put a price of $150K on the new GT, but I doubt you will actually be able to buy one for under $200K for the first year or two. That would give Superformance the breathing room they need to get it launched.

[Marty]

I agree. The new Mercedes SL500 was listed at $85,000 but was not available as a drive-off for under $120,000 (without options) for quite a while, unless you knew the dealer. A steep price to pay for being the first around town. Of course, I'm from LA, so cars are king, no matter what your paycheck.

I was actually lucky enough to have put my name on a list a full 3 years before the car was available (mostly by luck), so I paid no premium, but I heard of people paying as much as $140,000 for the same car.

$200,000 for the new GT sounds about right for LA, at least for the first 3 - 6 months. We'll see. God knows Ford (and all the car mags) are hyping the hell out of it.

Marty

Is this what you are all talking about?

Here is another view:

[RobBeddington]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this what you are all talking about?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup!